The EU farm ministers' talks in Brussels about the future of the CAP (Common Agricultural POlicy) didn't reach unanimous agreement.The UK, Sweden and Latvia objected to the final French draft on EU farm policy after 2013. According to the article, the UK wanted to bolder reforms of the CAP whereas France wanted to keep the current levels of farm spending, as it gets the biggest portion of CAp funding. As any unanimous agreement was found, the final document of th e meeting was called "presidency conclusions". It was mainly the French EU president point of view rather the one of the whole EU.
EU countries also disgreed about the proposal of increasing EU food aid to the poor in the EU. Britain and others said that it was a social issue that staet members should overcome individually. This had no "sense" to come out of the farm budget.
This "failed talk" expreses the situation of the EU nowadays. There are disagreements not only about the Common Agriculyural Policy but also about the whole EU future. Does it have to become a sort of country, for example a federal one such as the USA, does the EU have to take care of other common policy such as the social ones ? Or does it have to rmain as it is because, countries could only afford common policies about economic and security issues ? How far do the reforms have to go ?
The EU could be a "nation" with different cultures and "ethnological groups" who keep their "historic legacy", so that the countries could get on a better foot of equality, or that the Eu could be more opened to the world because it would have opened itself from the inside towards all the countries that compose it. (the critic of a rich white countries club).
But it might also be impossible to become that because, to become a nation, people need to forget some of their origins (Renan's speech 1882) to have a common past legacy. Who would let some of their avantages or values in which they believe for the ones of another country. The compromise seems hard to reach. In other words, the European countries are so different that they can't go further without big clashes.
But the most important is that, in order to manage with the EU future (to make its decisions more important against state members decisions, or to make it remain as it is today), the entire population of Europe needs to be willing of any future. However, it seems that their opinion are veyr distinct and oppposed, or that they don't really have an opinion.
So, be free to let me know your opinion about the EU : are you pro-EU, against the EU or balancing between the two distinct opinions ?
dimanche 30 novembre 2008
The Middle-East's changes of objectives.
After having invest a lot of money in Occidentals companies (principally in banks), the Middle-east sovereign-wealth funds (which represent more than 2000 billions dollars) stop their investments in Occident, and go back to their countries (who start to face the financial crisis) to help them, but also realize that they can invest a lot in their economy (which are now well-developed).
The "Dubai holding" (who has invested in EADS, HSBC and Daimler) is helping the Dubai emirate to avoid a bankrupt. Indeed, the emirate now hasn't got any hydrocarbons, and facing some problems like the fall of asiatics demands in real estate, and the indifference of Occidentals to it. As results, Sheikh Mohammed (Dubai's sovereign) has ordered to stop some real-estate projects, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is also helping the real estate developers.
But the crisis is also affecting others Middle-east countries: for example, the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) has given money to the Gulf Bank, the second of the country which is in difficulty. Qatar's companies are also facing financial problems.
However, even if the Middle-East suffers the crisis, the sovereign-wealth funds prefer invest here where the economy is growing, whereas the Occident is facing recession. The middle-east stock exchanges are modern, the islamic finance is protected of the speculation and the Occidental protectionism have influenced this temporary change of objectives.
This article shows us that finally, and on the contrary of some economists predictions at the beginning of it, the crisis is not only an Occidental one, but a global one. Indeed, after China's, the Middle-East countries' problems prove once again the dependance of the others financial powers of the world to Occident (specially to the USA), and maybe show the end of the actual globalization, and the beginning of a new one, more controlled and more nationalist.
lundi 24 novembre 2008
Science fiction becomes a reality
Usually, science-fiction's technology used in movies are just out from our imagination, and we can hardly believe that it could be real. For example, in Monirity Report filmed by Steven Spielberg in 2002, they used screens in which we can intercact directly from fringers, by putting special gloves on the two hands. The police in the movie used this technology to see through future, come back in the past, pick up parts of images and translate them to another screen etc... only by the action of fingers. But now, it became a reality.
In fact, a compagy called Oblong industries situated in Los Angeles developped this technology. It can be controlled from a PC, and it makes it very versatile. Once we projected the image on a screen, we can get entire control of the actions. Basically, it is an interactive way of remplacing the good old mouse, firstly created by Apple in 1987 with the Macintosh II. The argument used is that anything is more performant and accurate than our hands. This from this statement that the developpers began to work on.
Imagine that, a child wants to draw on a computer with a mouse. Even for us, it difficult, even if interactive pencils have been invented. It is though hard to create something which sticks to our mind. And by this technology, the same child can draw on a screen, with his hands, the tree or the bird he imagined in his head. But it can be used in many others situation. For exemple in universities, to a give presentation. It can be used in the army, to show maps, lands, battle fields, and to indicate where planes could land, only with the fingers. The process is easy to grasp and it gets quicker than using a simple mouse. As it accurate, surgeons can use it to explore a part of the patient and identifie precisely where to operate.
But Oblong industries wants to go further. The company has the ambition to introduce this technology into everyday life. They are developping the system in a reduced format, so it can be used by everyone, in fonction of what we want to do on it. It might be available in two years...
To be impressed, please watch the videos on the article.
dimanche 23 novembre 2008
UK, racism problems in police services
UNITED KINGDOM
The number of recruits from ethnic minorities to British police forces is severely going down, despite concerted efforts to improve relations between police and minority communities (especially black ones).
This statement is held while concerns over racism in the service are renewed. It semed that serving officers were part of the BNP, whereas they are banned from joining it. It seems to be also the case of soldiers. BNP's leader said that if these people were sacked it could be held in justice because the Equality Act condemned discrimination based on political grounds.
The BNP becomes more and more important. Recently, a dozen members were arrested by the police. THey were accused of distribuying racist material. Scotland Yard also examinated a leaflet from BNP accusing young Muslim men of racist campaigns.
The government is recalling people that there is a threat of extremists. Especially from white working class communities hit by the credit crunch. These people feel ignored by the mainstream parties, and so turn themselves to the BNP.
BNP : The British National Party is a far-right racist political party in the UK.
This discrimination seems to be something growing up nowadays. It could be linked with an apparent growing up of antisemitism (more neo nazis on the internet fro example). After what we heard in the knews about the repercussion of Obama's election on black communities, this is a bit surprising.
What is frightening is the important grow of the BNP. The case explained in this article makes me think of the situation before Hitler's assenssion to power (in less important level). But it might be a bit exagerated, I hope so. But if it is really true it should taken into account. (We can see that the government is taking it into account. )
Tis made me think that we heard a lot about the economic consequences of the financial crisis (of course it's the main point), but I didn't hear very much about the social and ideological consequences from the crisis. I didn't think that it was so hard that people could turn themselves to extremist parties.
The number of recruits from ethnic minorities to British police forces is severely going down, despite concerted efforts to improve relations between police and minority communities (especially black ones).
This statement is held while concerns over racism in the service are renewed. It semed that serving officers were part of the BNP, whereas they are banned from joining it. It seems to be also the case of soldiers. BNP's leader said that if these people were sacked it could be held in justice because the Equality Act condemned discrimination based on political grounds.
The BNP becomes more and more important. Recently, a dozen members were arrested by the police. THey were accused of distribuying racist material. Scotland Yard also examinated a leaflet from BNP accusing young Muslim men of racist campaigns.
The government is recalling people that there is a threat of extremists. Especially from white working class communities hit by the credit crunch. These people feel ignored by the mainstream parties, and so turn themselves to the BNP.
BNP : The British National Party is a far-right racist political party in the UK.
This discrimination seems to be something growing up nowadays. It could be linked with an apparent growing up of antisemitism (more neo nazis on the internet fro example). After what we heard in the knews about the repercussion of Obama's election on black communities, this is a bit surprising.
What is frightening is the important grow of the BNP. The case explained in this article makes me think of the situation before Hitler's assenssion to power (in less important level). But it might be a bit exagerated, I hope so. But if it is really true it should taken into account. (We can see that the government is taking it into account. )
Tis made me think that we heard a lot about the economic consequences of the financial crisis (of course it's the main point), but I didn't hear very much about the social and ideological consequences from the crisis. I didn't think that it was so hard that people could turn themselves to extremist parties.
mercredi 19 novembre 2008
le sauvetage d'Opel
L'industrie automobile est en danger ...
Après la chute de l'industrie automobile aux États-Unis evoqué par Thibaud avec la possible fusion de General Motors et Chrysler, le groupe General motors continu de mal se porter. Sa filaire Opel , a dû bénéficier d'une garantie allant jusqu'à 500 millions d'euros. Son "groupe mère" Général Motors lui demande une garantie d'un milliard de dollars pour se sauver de la faillite.
Cette demande de garantie a été faite au niveau du Land de Hesse, ou la principale usine d'Opel est placée, mais, le gouvernement d'Angela Merkel prevoit de s'y attarder aussi. Mais le gouvernement allemand veut que l'aide apportée ne bénéficie qu'au groupe allemand et non aussi à sa société mère. Cette réaction du gouvernement allemand montre bien qu'aujourd'hui, a cause de la crise, les sociétés et les gouvernements ne se font plus confiance.
Cette article nous montre que la crise est loin d'être finie et que le secteur automobile est en train de s'essoufler. Et cela est dû au fait que les consommateurs n'ayant plus un grand pouvoir d'achat, ne se tentent pas à acheter de nouvelles voitures. De plus, la flambée des pris du pétrole, a quelques peu refroidis les consommateurs. Certes, en se moment le baril est en dessous de la barre des 50 dollars, mais les gens ont envie de changer de façon de vivre. Ils s'intéressent de plus en plus au énergies renouvelables. Mais se n'est pas le seul facteur, le fait que les consommateurs achètent moins, il y a aussi le fait que les banques n'autorisent plus de crédits au entreprises, qui eux sont vitales aux entreprises technologiques. Ils leur permettent de se renouveler et d'innover.
Les pirates, une menace à prendre au sérieux
Depuis le début de l'année, les pirates se sont emparés de 35 bateaux sur les 95 tentés, et tout ceci dans le golf d'Aden. Il se situe entre la Somalie et le Yémen, juste après le canal de suez. Cet
endroit est stratégique pour les pirates car, etant situé au niveau d'une zone de fort trafique naval, ils peuvent attaqués les navires assez régulièrement...La prise du week-end dernier du superpétrolier saoudien Sirius Star a été la goute qui a fait débordé le vase. Tout d'abords, ils ne s'étaient pas encore attaqué a un navire de cette taille, et ensuite il se sont emparés de 100 millions de dollars de petrole brut...
L'armée américaine tente d'enrayé le phénomène avec l'aide de l'OTAN et du gouvernement somalien, en plaçant des vaisseaux de guerres. Mais malheureusement ils ne peuvent pas être partout en surveillant tous les navires ...
Cependant, ils ont conseillé au sociétés, d'engager des agents de sécurités pour dissuader les pirates d'attaquer les bateaux. Mais les conducteurs sont plutôt rétissent, car, ils pensent, que cela rendra les pirates plus agressifs ...
Mais que font-ils de ces bateaux ?
Ils les stockent dans leurs fiefs en Somalie, en attendent d'obtenir une rançon. Malheureusement pour les sociétés qui ont perdu leurs marchandises, les autorités ne veulent pas tenter d'interventions de peur de donner un coup de pied dans la fourmilière ... Une intervention raté mettrait a bas l'autorité du gouvernement central déjà assez faible.
Les autorités somaliennes craignent aussi le rapprochement entre les pirates et Al-Quaïda, se qui serait catastrophique, étant donné l'importante population islamiste présente en Somalie.
mardi 18 novembre 2008
HP and smartphones
As we know the company's products to be printers and computers, for professionals and large public, HP unveiled two smartphones named iPaq Voice Messenger, which propels Hewlett-Packard into the mobile phones market.
These two PDAs feature a system of sending, receiving and accessing e-mails wherever in the world. This is due to a special alliance with Vodafone. HP insited on this feature, because the new tendency of professionals is to access easily to their mail. So, this is the ideal type of consummers, which are the target of this commercial strategy. In fact, it touchs business men for example, to a wider range of people, who see the usefulness of free e-mailing. To conquer more customers, HP worked carefully in regard to the design and games. These are the two main features of the phones, otherwise, it remains a smartphone.
But, the problem is that the smartphone market is crowed. In fact, Nokia is still the leader of smartphone sales with 47.5%, and it might be hard to reach a such number. Also, iPaq Voice Messenger runs with the last version of Windows Mobile.
Always in that objective to beat the arch enemy of all the companies : the mighty iPhone, HP works in the way of develloping communication for professionnals. As the world is getting busier, we have to get organised...
The rebirth of EADS
Principally thanks to its subsidiary Airbus, the European group EADS become again beneficial. However, the problems concerning the realization of the A4000M will maybe waste these profits ...The total benefits of EADS for the first nine months of 2008 nearly approach 2 billions of euros whereas the prevision was 1.8 billion for the whole year. The turnover will maybe approach 40 billions of euros.
The fall of the Euro compared with the Dollars help EADS to take up provisions. All the subsidiaries of the group have become beneficiary ( Eurocopter 164 millions, +45% / Astrium 140 millions, +97 %/ Security and Defense division 219 millions, +74%). The benefits of Airbus (more than 1.5 billion) represent 75% of the total benefits of the group (whereas this division had lost 677 millions last year).
However, the group faces problems concerning the A400M, a future military plane. Indeed, the project needs an other provision of 341 millions of euros (1.4 billion of provision in 2007...). The problem comes from the motors: Snecma and Rolls-Royce are helping now MTU to construct it...
The EADS's order book has increased of 18% since the beginning of the year (more than 400 billions of euros) But the group will continue its attempts of economize money. Indeed, after the Power 8 and Power 8 + plans, EADS will establish the FUTURE EADS plan, which will help the group to save more than 200 millions euros.
(An artist impression of the A400M)
These benefits (which are the best results of EADS since its creation) show us the efficiency of the new administration (established after the crisis of Airbus because of the A380) and of its plan (Power 8 and Power 8 +). I think it proves that a good administration is totally efficient in period of crisis and can "changer la donne". It also shows the European domination in air sector (here in plane construction, but also in air companies (see Air France and Lufthansa)) and the dependence of the european companies with the Dollars rate.
dimanche 16 novembre 2008
Mondial press reactions about G20
Mondial press is saying that the conclusions of the G20 are " a first step" but they are waiting for more concrete facts. Indeed, for them the conclusions seem a bit too vague.
The Observer : it's a good thing that big developed countries and emerging ones are discussing about a coordinate action about financial problems. If it's too vague it's mainly because they could not resolve in one day what has been done in one generation.
Spain: It's a first step but the principles are too generals about reforms and actions.
France/America : no editorial about it
Italy : they ask if the cordinate relaunch is sincere and they are seeing very well a "new oder" coming : the power of Europe, the old continent, would not be as strong as before on the international stage.
India : Everything's quite good. New Delhi influence on the international stage is growing and they're hoping to be protected from the protectionism od developed countries.
Brazil : they see the proposal made by their leader as a very good thing : G8 becomes G20
Japan : they are anxious that Tokio would be isolated because it wouldn't have enough margins to act in order to participate to the relaunch actions.
We can see that the conclusions of the G20 rise many different opinions which, however, agree on one point : they ar etoo vague, there is no concrete plans. Well, I think that it would come but it would be hard because, as we can see it from the international press, all the countries are trying to keep their own interests and to be "winner" of these new plans to restructure the economy. Everybody would need to make concessions. I think that te G20 is a good symbole as the election of Mr Obama was, of "open minding". some emerging countries are heard. The world changes. This could be linked with the "swap of power" from the West countries to the East countries, or from the rich countries to the porr ones, as it's thought by Italy, according to its press.
To come back to the G20 and its conclusions, before it I heard politics and economists on radio saying that there won't be some miracle from this meeting. The same kind of point of view expressed by The Observer. I'm wondering if this kind of no expactation set up before the meeting had an influence on the conclusions of it, or if on the contrary because people were not hoping so much about this meeting they are happy that a first step has been taken.
The Observer : it's a good thing that big developed countries and emerging ones are discussing about a coordinate action about financial problems. If it's too vague it's mainly because they could not resolve in one day what has been done in one generation.
Spain: It's a first step but the principles are too generals about reforms and actions.
France/America : no editorial about it
Italy : they ask if the cordinate relaunch is sincere and they are seeing very well a "new oder" coming : the power of Europe, the old continent, would not be as strong as before on the international stage.
India : Everything's quite good. New Delhi influence on the international stage is growing and they're hoping to be protected from the protectionism od developed countries.
Brazil : they see the proposal made by their leader as a very good thing : G8 becomes G20
Japan : they are anxious that Tokio would be isolated because it wouldn't have enough margins to act in order to participate to the relaunch actions.
We can see that the conclusions of the G20 rise many different opinions which, however, agree on one point : they ar etoo vague, there is no concrete plans. Well, I think that it would come but it would be hard because, as we can see it from the international press, all the countries are trying to keep their own interests and to be "winner" of these new plans to restructure the economy. Everybody would need to make concessions. I think that te G20 is a good symbole as the election of Mr Obama was, of "open minding". some emerging countries are heard. The world changes. This could be linked with the "swap of power" from the West countries to the East countries, or from the rich countries to the porr ones, as it's thought by Italy, according to its press.
To come back to the G20 and its conclusions, before it I heard politics and economists on radio saying that there won't be some miracle from this meeting. The same kind of point of view expressed by The Observer. I'm wondering if this kind of no expactation set up before the meeting had an influence on the conclusions of it, or if on the contrary because people were not hoping so much about this meeting they are happy that a first step has been taken.
dimanche 9 novembre 2008
A Cold War II ?
The Russian president Dmitri Medvedev ordered the deployment of missiles in Europe, in the Baltic exclave of kaliningrad (see map) as a response to US plans for a missile defence shield (cf. below). He didn't say if they would carry nuclear warheads. Russia also said it was ready to deploy its navy and install electronic jamming devices to interfere US missiles. George Bush said that the missile shield was aimed at rogue states (especially Iran). However, Russia remained saying that it threatens Russia's security.
Critics from Russia to the United States :
In his speech, Medvedev said that Russia would not back don in the Caucasus and that Russia proved they are strong enough to defend their citizens and their national interests. Russia has the impression that it's tested to the limit. He hopes that the new administration would repair and improve US/RUSSIA relationships.
Russia's president also claimed that the era of American domination after the collapse of the Soviet Union is now over.
Another point, which has no relation with the international policy of Russia, but which is important : Dimitri Medvedev told that he wanted to extend the presidential term from 4 to 6 years.
US missile shield, 2007
It is the set up of an antiballistic missile shield in Europe (Poland and Czech Republic) in order to protect the USA and Europe from an Iran's attack. It would be operational by 2011.
This plan had risen many criticisms. Amid them, one from German commentators : Washington is using Europe to protect the US and the plan would lead to a new arms race.
When the plan came out (2007), Russia has already reacted to it. And Mrs Merkel has told that this plan was provoking Russia. The US responded what George Bush told to Dimitri Medvedev this week.
For more information about this, see here.
This event brings us three "thinking pists" :
It shows another problem let by Bush to Obama. Relationships with Russia would be another issue that Obama would have to solve. How and when ? Where will it be put in his list of priorities to solve all the Americans' problems ?
From this article we can meet the German commentators fears about a new arms race. Will this lead to another "Cold War". How would it be about alliancesbetween countries, now that almost every estern countries are not under Russia's control anymore ? Will countries from the far east such as China be involved in it ? Or because other countries are bored to serve these "two powers" will they be alone, just both, "fighting" as they did before ?
I think that a new arms race is not the aim of the new administration and that it will try to positively solve the problem, but before the new administration comes to real power, things can happen.
The third issue the article can rise is the East expansion and domination. From a few years we can note that Eastern countries such as China are developing themselves in a very important way. With Medvedev's sentence about the US domination, we can wonder if Eastern countries such as China and Russia would not enter in a domination era while Western countries such as the USA enter in the opposite era. The domination power seems to be swaping from West hands to East hands. What is going to happen ?
Critics from Russia to the United States :
- US took egoistical, dangerous and mistaken decisions.
- The West wants to encircle Russia
- US encouraged the Georgian attack
- US is blamed for it brought a mondial financial crisis
- Russia wants cooperation between the USA and itself to fight common threat, but the US doesn't listen to them.
In his speech, Medvedev said that Russia would not back don in the Caucasus and that Russia proved they are strong enough to defend their citizens and their national interests. Russia has the impression that it's tested to the limit. He hopes that the new administration would repair and improve US/RUSSIA relationships.
Russia's president also claimed that the era of American domination after the collapse of the Soviet Union is now over.
Another point, which has no relation with the international policy of Russia, but which is important : Dimitri Medvedev told that he wanted to extend the presidential term from 4 to 6 years.
US missile shield, 2007
It is the set up of an antiballistic missile shield in Europe (Poland and Czech Republic) in order to protect the USA and Europe from an Iran's attack. It would be operational by 2011.
This plan had risen many criticisms. Amid them, one from German commentators : Washington is using Europe to protect the US and the plan would lead to a new arms race.
When the plan came out (2007), Russia has already reacted to it. And Mrs Merkel has told that this plan was provoking Russia. The US responded what George Bush told to Dimitri Medvedev this week.
For more information about this, see here.
This event brings us three "thinking pists" :
It shows another problem let by Bush to Obama. Relationships with Russia would be another issue that Obama would have to solve. How and when ? Where will it be put in his list of priorities to solve all the Americans' problems ?
From this article we can meet the German commentators fears about a new arms race. Will this lead to another "Cold War". How would it be about alliancesbetween countries, now that almost every estern countries are not under Russia's control anymore ? Will countries from the far east such as China be involved in it ? Or because other countries are bored to serve these "two powers" will they be alone, just both, "fighting" as they did before ?
I think that a new arms race is not the aim of the new administration and that it will try to positively solve the problem, but before the new administration comes to real power, things can happen.
The third issue the article can rise is the East expansion and domination. From a few years we can note that Eastern countries such as China are developing themselves in a very important way. With Medvedev's sentence about the US domination, we can wonder if Eastern countries such as China and Russia would not enter in a domination era while Western countries such as the USA enter in the opposite era. The domination power seems to be swaping from West hands to East hands. What is going to happen ?
mercredi 5 novembre 2008
Peer to peer downloading, a revolution or a constrait ?
Peer to peer downloading consists to share files on the internet with different downloaders. When you want to download an album for example, you'll have to put something to share, and which will be taken by an other one. This system is totally free. But for disc houses, it is a real problem...
At the basis, it is only an exchange that you do for example with your friend when you share your music with a bluetooth mobil phone. Or when you give him songs on your USB key. Peer to peer is exactly the same, but in a larger scale. PCs users who download with this system are a minority : only 7.2% and the "legal" downloaders represent 65.8%. In a first place, is isn't that alarming. But when you were exchanging a few songs with your friend, on the internet it is 14.9 millions songs downloaded illegaly by these 7.2%. The others only download 12.6 millions. But, what makes illegal downloading more efficient in terms of numbres ?
It is due to an easier system. When you use a traditional music store on internet, you have to creat an account, give your credit card numbre, all the informations about yourself etc... and you'll have to pay for each songs or albums downloaded. Sometimes, songs are protected . It means that you can't burn them on a CD or share them with an other PC. These are some disavantages of using a legal music store even if you are sure that all the music online is of good quality. With peer to peer, you don't need to give all of your informations, and you can get songs for free. That's why downloaders use this system more ofently. Even if it takes a long time to get a song, you'll have it for free.
For disc houses, it is translated by colosal losss. In fact, the music industry can't go well if people tend to not buy their music anymore. And all of the system will fall : artists won't get enough money to live with their talent, CD industries will fall just like the artists who work for the booklet, and finally, big music houses would have to close. All of these elements have to be taken into account, that's why music stores try to lower their prices. However, why an album costs around 20€ ? If the industry wants to relaunch the CD market, they have to lower tehir prices as well...
I would like to add something else. I talked about musicians. Free downloading has a possitive impact fot them : it promotes their albums and the bands. It means that music newspaper will be sold to learn more about the band, and that they hace the certainty to have a strong fan club in front of them during a concert.
lundi 3 novembre 2008
New and first icon from Sony : Sackboy
It was quite a big suprise from Sony PlayStation 3 when the company presented this new platform game : LittleBIGPlanet. It is really far away from all these violent, war and horrors games which we are used to know since a while. As if a return back to childhood, LittleBIGPlanet brings a very interesting world where gamers can do almost whatever they want, in a childish environnement.
To begin with, let's present the hero of this fantastic interactive adventure : Sackboy. He represents a cute simply random puppet. But what is genius with this hero, is that every players can create it with different tools that the game offers. This idea is very original because it allows the gamers to share this puppets with others and to make the character constantly evolve. But it isn't restricted to Sackboy. Gamers can also create Sackgirl ! And to add a very personnal touch, we can tell to the character how to react in front of a situation, give him feelings, and interact with other players. Using internet included in the PS3, players can meet and make friends, and even fall in love with Sackboys and Sackgirls. It creates a little community. But it doesn't stop there. As we can customise the character, we can create our how levels and share it on internet, and download it to play on different gamers' one. The game gives all the tools used to create environnements, obstacles, goals and entertenainement to the players, which is very well seen because everyone have the possibility to invente their own level. Today, games are fixed in non-evolutive levels, which gives a short gaming life after finishing it. Just like the characters, the levels are constantly evolving, and it gives to the game an eternal durability. The graphics and the evironnement are taken out from a child imagination, which add this funny and friendly atmosphere to the game. From there, we can almost guess why the title is LittleBIGPlanet ^^. The concept is based, in fact, around the community.
Economicaly speaking, Sony's hopes are in the hand of this game. In fact, it is the first time the company decided to have a proper icon, like Mario or Sonic. Due to an old policy of not having a mascot, maybe in the goal of not being like the others, Sony thought twice about this project. They see in Sackboy, as he is customisable, a way of promoting the PS3, and show others faces, despite its very high price (around 360€...). But it a risky attempt, because as seen before, gamers are used to play Role Playing Games, violent games etc... and a return back to childhood with a platform game is a bit odd. But as it is out just before Christmas, maybe it is a marketing attempt, in which children are the target ? But beginings seemed to be a bit hard. In fact, only for a song where two lines of the Koran are said, the Muslim community asked Sony to review the game, or retire it from the market. Just before it was out, Sony had to recall it, remplace the song, which cost millions.... But now, the game seems to a good future in front of it :-).
For more informations, see also the official website
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