The multi award-winning UK studio, who are better known for LittleBigPlanet is now fully owned by Sony Computer Entertainment.
Sony Computer Entertainment has acquired LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule for an undisclosed sum.
The multi-award-winning Guildford-based outfit was bought by Sony in a strategic move to continue to secure excellence in game development for current and future PlayStation platforms.
The acquisition brings Sony’s tally of first-party dev outfits to fifteen, with key studios in Japan, the USA, the UK and The Netherlands.
Under the SCE Worldwide Studios umbrella, Media Molecule joins the likes of Naughty Dog, Evolution Studios, Guerrilla Games, Polyphony Digital, SCE Japan, SCE Santa Monica and Zipper Interactive.
In announcing the acquisition, SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida offered high praise for the UK outfit.
”Since they burst onto the gaming scene, Media Molecule have proved to be a truly exciting and innovative studio, who have proved their world-class credentials with the creation of the incredible LittleBigPlanet,” he said.
“SCE WWS is all about creating ambitious, innovative and ground breaking games, traits that Media Molecule clearly have. To bring them into our family proves our dedication to creating fantastic new experiences that we believe will cement our position as industry leaders.”
Media Molecule’s first official title was the PS3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet, which went on to receive a phenomenal number of awards and honours. The game has also seen its fan base develop over 2 million user-generated levels.
The LittleBigPlanet franchise, and studio behind it, will now remain in the hands of Sony, a situation which co-founder Alex Evans has complete faith in.
“Since Media Molecule’s inception, we’ve had a uniquely close relationship with SCE,” he said.
“Over the years they have consistently shown their dedication to Creative Gaming and Media Molecule, not only through their support of the company, but their willingness to take risks and embrace our often unusual approach and ideas.”
Both publisher and developer remain quiet on what projects Media Molecule is currently working on.
Hopefully this means we’ll be seeing more of Sackboy and Sackgirl in the future.
The full press release is below –
Sony Computer Entertainment Acquires
Media Molecule
Acclaimed developer of multi-million selling LittleBigPlanet™ joins
Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios
London, 2nd March 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it had acquired leading game developer Media Molecule, creator of the multi-million selling and multi-award winning PlayStation®3 (PS3™) exclusive title, LittleBigPlanet™. Media Molecule will join as part of SCE’s global development operation, SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS).
In a strategic move to continue to secure excellence in game development for current and future PlayStation® platforms, the acquisition of Media Molecule formalises the successful exclusive relationship with SCE.
Media Molecule, based in Surrey, England, is the award-winning developer of LittleBigPlanet, one of the best-selling titles for PS3, a game that introduced gamers to the unique ethos of Play, Create and Share. Having seen over 2m user generated levels created for the community to download and play for free, LittleBigPlanet has completely changed the way people interact with games, whilst revolutionising the longevity of gameplay.
Having won over 90 awards for LittleBigPlanet, including 2 BAFTAs and 8 AIAS Interactive Achievement Awards, Media Molecule brings a wealth of experience and a highly talented staff into the SCE WWS family that will further strengthen the PlayStation first party studio.
”Since they burst onto the gaming scene, Media Molecule have proved to be a truly exciting and innovative studio, who have proved their world-class credentials with the creation of the incredible LittleBigPlanet,” said Shuhei Yoshida, President, SCE Worldwide Studios. “SCE WWS is all about creating ambitious, innovative and ground breaking games, traits that Media Molecule clearly have. To bring them into our family proves our dedication to creating fantastic new experiences that we believe will cement our position as industry leaders.”
“Since Media Molecule’s inception, we’ve had a uniquely close relationship with SCE. Over the years they have consistently shown their dedication to Creative Gaming and Media Molecule, not only through their support of the company, but their willingness to take risks and embrace our often unusual approach and ideas,” said Alex Evans, co-founder of Media Molecule. “What we’ve achieved already with LittleBigPlanet has proved this to us and we’re excited by this new chapter of innovation and creative gaming, for all involved.”
Studios across SCE WWS share technology, production methodology and creative goals to build the best possible experiences for users to enjoy the most from the PlayStation family of hardware platforms and network services. With over 2,500 employees, SCE WWS combines the talents of 15 game development studios in Japan, the USA, the UK and The Netherlands.
