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Media Molecule is a British game developer based in Guildford, Surrey. Since 2010, it is part of the PlayStation Studios division of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Media Molecule's games focus on player creativity and creation sharing. The studio is best known for creating the critically acclaimed LittleBigPlanet series, of which it developed the first two entries.

Media Molecule was founded by former employees of Lionhead Studios in 2006 after securing funding from Sony. Sony acquired Media Molecule in 2010, following the release 2008's LittleBigPlanet, which was a critical and commercial success. Following the release of the similarly acclaimed LittleBigPlanet 2, Media Molecule shifted focus towards new intellectual properties. In 2013, Media Molecule released Tearaway and began work on Dreams, which eventually saw release in 2020.

Media Molecule's work has attained high praise from gaming publications for the studio's focus on player interaction and user-generated content sharing. The studio's work on the LittleBigPlanet series was critically acclaimed, as was their later work on Tearaway, Tearaway Unfolded and Dreams.

History[]

2006 - 2008: Foundation, LittleBigPlanet[]

2011 - 2013: Sony acquisition, Tearaway[]

2013 - 2020: Dreams development[]

In October 2016, Media Molecule opened a second studio in Brighton. The Brighton studio would serve as a second location for the company due to frequent travels between the city and the main office in Guildford.[3]

2020 - 2023: Dreams support, departures[]

In September 2020, Evans announces his departure from the studio after thirteen years, citing his desire to take a break from game development among the reasons for his leave, though he mentioned his departure won't affect development on Dreams.[4] In December 2022, it was announced that Ettouney would leave Media Molecule in early 2023.[5]

On April 11, 2023, Media Molecule announced that it would end its live-service support of Dreams in September of that year.[6] A week later, Healey announced his departure from Media Molecule after seventeen years.[7] In October 2023, Sports Illustrated reported that Media Molecule was to lay off roughly 15 to 20 people.[8] Media Molecule confirmed the layoffs via a statement posted on Twitter, reaffirming its transition to a new project and beginning a consultation process for employees in various departments.[9]

Studio philosophy[]

Game design[]

Studio culture[]

Relationship with other studios[]

PlayStation Studios[]

External developers[]

Supermassive Games[]

Sumo Digital[]

Games developed[]

Primary developer[]

Game title Release Platform Additional notes
LittleBigPlanet 2008 PlayStation 3 n / a
LittleBigPlanet 2 2011 PlayStation 3 n / a
Tearaway 2013 PlayStation Vita n / a
Tearaway Unfolded 2015 PlayStation 4 Enhanced remake of 2013's Tearaway
Dreams 2020 PlayStation 4 n / a
Unannounced title TBA TBA [10]

Other titles[]

Game title Release Platform Additional notes
LittleBigPlanet 2009 PlayStation Portable Support; primarily developed by Cambridge Studio
Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves 2010 PlayStation 3 Support; primarily developed by Supermassive Games
LittleBigPlanet Karting 2012 PlayStation 3 Support; primarily developed by United Front Games and San Diego Studio
LittleBigPlanet 3 2014 PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 Early development support; primarily developed by Sumo Digital

References[]

Media Molecule
Sony Interactive Entertainment - PlayStation Studios

LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet - LittleBigPlanet (2009) - LittleBigPlanet 2 - LittleBigPlanet Karting (support) - LittleBigPlanet 3 (support)


Other Titles
Tearaway - Tearaway Unfolded - Dreams


Technology: Bubble

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