Summary
Media Molecule, the developer behindLittleBigPlanet, is working on a brand-new IP, which is reportedly less of a “creative tool” unlike its latest titleDreams. The news about theLittleBigPlanetcreator’s next project comes from co-founder Mark Healey, who exited the company in 2023.
Back in September of last year, Media Molecule stopped shipping updates forDreamsand, last month, it furtherdropped Curation support forDreamsplayers. In the original announcement, the developer mentioned it was ending support for the PS4 game in order to focus its efforts on “an exciting new project” instead. Most recently, new information about the studio’s next project has been revealed.
In aMinnMax interview, Media Molecule co-founder and former employee Mark Healey shared that a new IP, which is “more of a game than a creative tool,” is in development at the UK-based studio. Taking note of thelayoffs at Media Moleculefrom last year, Healey reassured the fans by hinting that the developer’s next game may not be in danger of being axed. He mentioned that parent firm Sony has “a lot of faith” in the developer and added “at the very least, they’re going to get to make this game.”
LittleBigPlanet Developer Media Molecule Working on New IP
Recently,Media Molecule listed a job rolethat described its next undertaking as an original game and not related to theDreamsfranchise. Healey’s statements from the interview directly align with the job posting and more or less establish that the developer’s new game will be quite different from its latest work. Given that theDreamsdirector has confirmed the next IP tilts more towards being a game than being a tool, there are chances that community-driven content may not be as big a part of it as it was inDreams.In other words, Media Molecule’s next game may offer a straightforward gaming experience minus the creation suite.
The positive standing that Healey said Media Molecule has in the eyes of Sony is something that should instill confidence in fans. After recent news of theLittleBigPlanetdeveloper facing the risk of closureat one point, the co-founder’s latest statement comes as a relief. Despite an unforgiving trend of shuttering down developers sweeping through the industry, it may seem likelier now that Media Molecule, especially post last year’s layoffs, may be safe from being closed down for good. Moreover, the recently listed jobs also suggest that the developer is now doubling down on building its next major game, understandably with the support of parent Sony.
LittleBigPlanet
LittleBigPlanet is an action-platforming adventure franchise that allows players to incorporate their own creativity by using a level creator to make their own stages. Although it has an underlying story, LittleBigPlanet is very much about community creation and it has even see some spin-off titles that include a Kart Racing game.
