Media Molecule taking a break from LBP to develop 'new ideas'
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Having created two entries in a series that has spawned millions of levels, it seems Guildford-based developer Media Molecule is considering a vacation from LittleBigPlanet for its next project. During a talk at the Gamelab 2011 conference in Barcelona (attended by Edge), studio director Siobhan Reddy said, "We're stepping away from LittleBigPlanet to focus on some new ideas."
That doesn't mean the team's leaving the franchise behind entirely. After all, they're still working on the beefy Move update for LittleBigPlanet 2. Frankly, we think that desire to move on is pretty reasonable, considering the game they created nearly counts as an infinite number of games. We've contacted the studio for more information about their Next Next Big Thing.
That doesn't mean the team's leaving the franchise behind entirely. After all, they're still working on the beefy Move update for LittleBigPlanet 2. Frankly, we think that desire to move on is pretty reasonable, considering the game they created nearly counts as an infinite number of games. We've contacted the studio for more information about their Next Next Big Thing.
Reader Comments (43)
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 10:41AM Jgr9 said
Oh they'd better fix that background lighting bug that I really need fixed. >:(
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 10:41AM byaboy said
They could do something awesome on the wii U
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:13AM bradphillips204 said
@byaboy
Media Molecule is owned by Sony, so there is no chance of this.
Reply
Media Molecule is owned by Sony, so there is no chance of this.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:36AM Epoque said
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/reggie-fils-aime-thinks-littlebigplanet-is-on-the-wrong-console/
Good times.
Reply
Good times.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:35PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
@byaboy
Np, but you have a point, with Vita and PS3, they could create something quite innovative :D
Reply
Np, but you have a point, with Vita and PS3, they could create something quite innovative :D
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:08PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
@Justice551
They are probably the most innovative developer on the Playstation platform ... possibly even in the entire games industry.
Reply
They are probably the most innovative developer on the Playstation platform ... possibly even in the entire games industry.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:33PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
@bradphillips204
Technically they aren't owned by Sony. If I remember correctly they signed a 3 game exclusivity deal with Sony opposed to being purchased outright. I'm not sure if that's 3 games or 3 IP's ... obviously Sony owns the Intellectual Properties of the games Media Molecule produces but they don't technically own the studio.
Reply
Technically they aren't owned by Sony. If I remember correctly they signed a 3 game exclusivity deal with Sony opposed to being purchased outright. I'm not sure if that's 3 games or 3 IP's ... obviously Sony owns the Intellectual Properties of the games Media Molecule produces but they don't technically own the studio.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 2:31PM Gameonicon said
@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell
You are wrong
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sony-acquires-media-molecule
Reply
You are wrong
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sony-acquires-media-molecule
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 10:42AM The Cole Train said
Good news. These guys are super creative, can't wait to see what they do next.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 10:42AM (Unverified) said
good for them. nice to see a developer voluntarily pursue new ip's when they have a cash cow that they could easily milk for years.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:16AM FriedConsole said
@(Unverified)
I don't think LBP is a cash cow. I am sure it did OK but it is no God of War cash cow.
Reply
I don't think LBP is a cash cow. I am sure it did OK but it is no God of War cash cow.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 10:52AM prodigy69 said
Ooh I look forward to their next project :)
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 10:59AM Lerkero said
I would have been disappointed if all they did for several years was LBP. Besides, I don't think the franchise is as big as Sony expected it to be. It may have another chance to pick up, though.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:00AM Epoque said
Good to hear. As much as I love LBP, I'd rather a studio that's proven itself with such a brilliant idea expand to working on new things.
Still, I hope the Move update isn't the only big bit of DLC for LBP2, but of course those could also come from some of the other developers who've been working on the series.
Still, I hope the Move update isn't the only big bit of DLC for LBP2, but of course those could also come from some of the other developers who've been working on the series.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:14AM bradphillips204 said
@Epoque
I'm kind of glad to see a Sony studio not be a sequel machine. Sequels are getting old.
Reply
I'm kind of glad to see a Sony studio not be a sequel machine. Sequels are getting old.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:17AM Pure Black World Tendency said
Awesome, I hope their super-creative brains get a chance to do something completely different.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:34AM Horsebird said
Good. Some new IP is sorely needed on Sony's front.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:05PM Senor Whopper said
@Horsebird some people would take the offensively but your right we do need new ips then sequels like journey
Reply
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:59PM PointlessPuppies said
@Horsebird
ROFL. What? Sony's the only one out of the three actively pursing new IP's. Nintendo's stuck doing the same Mario/Zelda/Metroid cycle for 20+ years and Microsoft's stuck doing Halo, Forza, and Gears. I'll give credit to them that the Gears IP is still relatively new but what after that?
You want me to list all the IP's Sony has backed that have been created in this console generation?
Reply
ROFL. What? Sony's the only one out of the three actively pursing new IP's. Nintendo's stuck doing the same Mario/Zelda/Metroid cycle for 20+ years and Microsoft's stuck doing Halo, Forza, and Gears. I'll give credit to them that the Gears IP is still relatively new but what after that?
You want me to list all the IP's Sony has backed that have been created in this console generation?
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:04PM tendoboy1984 said
@Horsebird
You do know Sony has produced the most new IPs this gen. Certainly more than Microsoft.
inFamous
Uncharted
LittleBigPlanet
Resistance
Motorstorm
Starhawk
their casual PS Move games
Flow and Flower
etc. etc.
Microsoft has Gears, and that's not even their own IP, it's owned by Epic.
Nintendo has Wii Sports, Wii Play, Wii Fit, etc.
Reply
You do know Sony has produced the most new IPs this gen. Certainly more than Microsoft.
inFamous
Uncharted
LittleBigPlanet
Resistance
Motorstorm
Starhawk
their casual PS Move games
Flow and Flower
etc. etc.
Microsoft has Gears, and that's not even their own IP, it's owned by Epic.
Nintendo has Wii Sports, Wii Play, Wii Fit, etc.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:06PM tendoboy1984 said
@PointlessPuppies
I already did that for ya. :)
And I don't think Gears is owned by Microsoft. It's developed by Epic, and they usually keep the rights to their franchises.
I almost forgot, Microsoft also has the Mistwalker games, but Blue Dragon ended up on the DS, so I'm not sure if they own the rights to that. I know Lost Odyssey MIGHT be owned by them.
Reply
I already did that for ya. :)
And I don't think Gears is owned by Microsoft. It's developed by Epic, and they usually keep the rights to their franchises.
I almost forgot, Microsoft also has the Mistwalker games, but Blue Dragon ended up on the DS, so I'm not sure if they own the rights to that. I know Lost Odyssey MIGHT be owned by them.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:58PM Liquidfingers said
@tendoboy1984
"Microsoft has Gears, and that's not even their own IP, it's owned by Epic."
well that's not really fair, is it? as long as we are listing downloadable IPs like you did with flow and flower, there's quite a bit on the 360.
shadow complex, toy soldiers, trenched, limbo, braid, and castle crashers have all appeared first on the 360, some of which are still only available on the 360. then there's the upcoming fez, insanely twisted shadow planet, and bastion. i'm sure there's more, i just can't think of them at the moment.
as far as retail IP's, there's viva pinata, kameo, lost odyssey, blue dragon, ryse, and gears, which is completely fair game because, let's be honest, gears IS the 360. it was built first and foremost for the 360 and has always been a good showcase for the system. i can see how it would be easy to dismiss it in order to help out your argument, though.
also, you forgot heavy rain, modnation racers, and 3d dot heroes. listing "casual move titles" is also pretty cheap. that would mean i could list kinect sports, kinectimals and dance central in with the 360's IP's.
Reply
"Microsoft has Gears, and that's not even their own IP, it's owned by Epic."
well that's not really fair, is it? as long as we are listing downloadable IPs like you did with flow and flower, there's quite a bit on the 360.
shadow complex, toy soldiers, trenched, limbo, braid, and castle crashers have all appeared first on the 360, some of which are still only available on the 360. then there's the upcoming fez, insanely twisted shadow planet, and bastion. i'm sure there's more, i just can't think of them at the moment.
as far as retail IP's, there's viva pinata, kameo, lost odyssey, blue dragon, ryse, and gears, which is completely fair game because, let's be honest, gears IS the 360. it was built first and foremost for the 360 and has always been a good showcase for the system. i can see how it would be easy to dismiss it in order to help out your argument, though.
also, you forgot heavy rain, modnation racers, and 3d dot heroes. listing "casual move titles" is also pretty cheap. that would mean i could list kinect sports, kinectimals and dance central in with the 360's IP's.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:40AM arucious said
They want to 'move' on from LBP2?...
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 11:51AM Dhexodus said
I bet they could make an LP in Little Big Planet itself.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:08PM WillPG1212 said
Cool, wonder what itl be :)
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:38PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Glad to hear news of new IPs, especially from MM, don't want them to go down as THAT COMPANY THAT ONLY HAD ONE GOOD SERIES.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:41PM Starcade said
I have to believe sales are a factor here too-- since LBP2, while it sold well, also sold less than it's predecessor. I can't imagine Sony is beating down their door asking for another one, but I'm sure everyone is interested in what-else they can do.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:09PM tendoboy1984 said
@Starcade
LBP is a sleeper hit. They're making a new one for the Vita.
Reply
LBP is a sleeper hit. They're making a new one for the Vita.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 12:54PM Justice551 said
I've never been a fan of LBP. I see why people could like it, but the game get old fast, uber fast. Don't believe me??? How many hours are you gonna put in today?
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:10PM tendoboy1984 said
@Justice551
I could pour hours into creating new levels. Hell I play Smash Bros. Brawl every day still.
And I love the Mario Builder level editor.
If Nintendo made an official level editor for a 2D Mario game, I'd be on that like jelly on peanut butter.
Reply
I could pour hours into creating new levels. Hell I play Smash Bros. Brawl every day still.
And I love the Mario Builder level editor.
If Nintendo made an official level editor for a 2D Mario game, I'd be on that like jelly on peanut butter.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:18PM Helghast102 said
@Justice551
Today Im putting in zero hours because i'll be playing Demon's Souls and Uncharted 3.
But If i ever want to play LBP (and i do from time to time) i don't hesitant to put it on
Reply
Today Im putting in zero hours because i'll be playing Demon's Souls and Uncharted 3.
But If i ever want to play LBP (and i do from time to time) i don't hesitant to put it on
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:00PM jhowlett said
as a fan i can't wait to see what they come up with. the i want to see that recreated in LBP.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 1:00PM PointlessPuppies said
Good for them. I'd love to see what they can do with a new IP.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 2:45PM aray48 said
Maybe they'll do what Insomniac and Sucker Punch did and make an awesome serious game with a cool story. I'm not saying that LBP is bad, cus it's one of my favorite games, but Insomniac and Sucker Punch were able to make extremely different types of games, and it'd be interesting to see what Media Molecule is capable of.
But that seems unlikely.
But that seems unlikely.
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 2:46PM adr916 said
no! sackboy is gna take the comments bubble!
Posted: Jul 1st 2011 2:54PM Kirkpad said
THANK THE LORD. THIS IS WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED AFTER LBP1.








