Some sad news for everyone in Japan who's still playing and enjoying LittleBigPlanet content. A post on the Japanese PlayStation blog (and then translated by NeoGAF) stated that the servers for the original title, its two sequels, the karting game, and portable/Vita version will all be shutdown on July 31st.

In February we reported on a rumor that Sony's popular LittleBigPlanet series would be receiving a kart racer spin-off. Co-Optimus would never steer you wrong, deer readers - Sony has now officially announced LittleBigPlanet Karting for Playstation 3. It will come from United Front Games, the makers of ModNation Racers. That revelation brings its own set of expectations and concerns, but I dare you not to be impressed by the new game's reveal trailer.

Trade events sometimes leak news of a game prior to the title's official announcement. That appears to be the case with LittleBigPlanet Karting, a kart racer-based spin-off of the LittleBigPlanet series. We don't know if this new Playstation 3 racer will support co-op yet, but more LittleBigPlanet is always a good thing... Especially if it's anything like Crash Team Racing.