Today we announced that we have purchased Media Molecule, creators of the beloved LittleBigPlanet, making them a wholly owned part of Sony Computer Entertainment. Welcome Molecules!
Michael Denny, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Studios Europe, had this to say about the deal.
The decision was an easy one after meeting five young, talented people with a massive ambition to redefine video games as we know them and create and grow a fantastically talented team at Media Molecule. This was followed by a fantastic exclusive relationship that culminated in the launch of one of the most innovative PlayStation games of recent years. Of course, LittleBigPlanet needs no introduction here, as it was thanks to you that it became a best selling PS3 title when it released in late 2008.
The acquisition will enhance the talent pool within SCE, protect past and current investment and ensure a solid base for future investment. Media Molecule have exciting projects in the pipeline and we’re looking forward to sharing these with you in the not too distant future.
The most important thing is that nothing will change from your perspective; Media Molecule will simply continue to make great games. Welcoming Media Molecule into the PlayStation family will allow us to better support their future titles and ambitions.
For more comments from Denny, and a rather exhaustive list of the awards that Media Molecule has earned over the past couple of years, click on over to the European PlayStation.Blog. You can find the press release, with comments from SCE Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida and Media Molecule co-founder Alex Evans, directly 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.
narwhalSTAB
I completely agree… and I worked for Microsfot.
HAAAAAZAAAAAA! Great news.
Mm Welcome to the BEST company in the WORLD!!! :) This is great NEWS!!
great news looking forward to their next creation i think these guys have a lot of potential and a great eye for good innovation, and thanks to Sony for giving these guys a chance it was a pretty big risk taking on a game like LBP but it sure paid off great acquisition.
@50
First of all, didn’t say anything about the quality of Sony games, only about big business acquisitions. How does being a member of the “Sony Family” make Media Molecule any better off? Obviously they did something right with their game, and have sufficient ability and resources to work on their own.
Now if SONY takes financial hits and has to cut jobs and project budgets, they are going to be part of that. I guess if that’s what they want, whatever, I have just never understood gamers celebrating and congratulating corporations for their business tactics, its ridiculous.
Look at all the comments suggesting the other companies SONY should acquire next, am I the only person who sees what’s wrong with this picture?
I guess this site’s just for fanboys who enjoy kissing Sony’s ass or something.
Sony please acquire Capcom! LOL!
Seriously, though welcome. Sony’s first party strategy is obviously second to none.
With a company like MM, it was bound to happen. Great purchase for Sony. I just hope Sony will still allow enough creativity for MM to continue to like what they do and be the best.
Hmmm… maybe they can work closer to the guys that made LBP for the PSP.
Sony should acquire the world
epic win sony!
“Awesome, SCEE is smart in securing 1st party studios, SCEA and SCEJ, well they’re not as smart.”
That’s a dumb comment. SCEA has lots of great developers. Ever hear of Naughty Dog? And there’s Sony Santa Monica. They have the people in San Diego I believe who make MLB The Show. Sony has great developers all over the world.
congrats!!
So how much DOES a LittleBigPlanet cost??
“Look at all the comments suggesting the other companies SONY should acquire next, am I the only person who sees what’s wrong with this picture?”
I guess you are the only person. Sony’s first party games are the best PS3 games since the developers don’t have to worry about the other consoles. Try to make God of War 3 like they made it if it also has to work on the 360. Capcom is ripping off PS3 gamers on a big game because it wouldn’t fit on a DVD so the PS3 and 360 versions will be the same and gamers will have to buy the rest as DLC. I won’t be surprised if the extra content is on the PS3 Blu-ray. All games must be the same now. This is doing nothing but hold the PS3 back.
Awesome move Sony. This means Sackboy is now an official member of the Playstation Family ^.^
Sucks for the Crapbox owners.
WE love you and welcome to SONY ENTERTAINMENT! Now heart my lvls plz :)
*sigh*
good news! cant wait to see their next projects
Cool LBP is great. Now can you strike a deal with Level 5 and get a new Dark Cloud?
Nice. So long as they make more games like LittleBigPlanet and less like Rag-Doll-Kung-Fu, Sony will benefit like they did Naughty Dog, IMO.
@NarcMonkey – You don’t get it. We users have made an initial investment in the PS3 and although we have to pay for content as separate we want to see a good return.
It’s only natural that we want to see more high quality first party games.
QD would be a great one to aquire. But I think Q-games should join too. They make such unique and great looking 2D games. I just love them.
I say sony should help Jason West and Vince Zampella start a new studio for an exclusive PS3 project.
Anyone have a problem with that?
@70
I get what people are saying, it doesn’t seem you get what I am saying.
One of my favorite PS3 exclusives was Valkyria Chronicles, but that doesn’t mean I want SONY to buy SEGA, nor would I applaud them for doing so.
This is a game fanboys like to play. Its all about who has more exclusives, and who makes more money. I choose to mock fanboys for being ridiculous, and that’s that.
All the console makers are pushing heavy business models to pump as much $$ out of gamers as possible these days. I can’t believe how much DLC you guys try to hawk on a weekly basis. More so, I can’t believe how much gamers are suckers to it. You do realize that before the PSN, extra missions being sold for $5 would have come with the game originally right? That’s back when games cost $50 new, not $60…
bah whatever, you kids kill me.
@NarcMonkey – But Sony only acquire small developers that were originally working on nothing but Playstation titles anyway.
This is nothing like big publishers trying to acquire each other.
The developers were getting exclusive help anyway. In fact been acquired from Sony, is probably a promotion for them and shows how good they are. A lot of small time developers would like to be part of Sony Computer Entertainment, but Sony only select the best.
I am also puzzled on why you don’t see positive aspects of M&A, only the negatives.
Well, I’m okay with this. As long as Sony gives Mm ample funding and most importantly doesn’t pressure them to do things.
LBP is one of my favorite games EVER, so I certainly welcome them to the family. But I don’t want to see there talents go unused either.
Of course, given how liberal Sony allows other developers like Team ICO be, I’m not too worried Mm getting shafted.
Welcome aboard guys!
12
Previously post: I shouldn’t have used the words “small time” – I meant independent!!
Sorry.
Congratulations Sony and MM. :)
Congratz Mm
Nice!
Get Quantic Dream on the PS family and I will be happy gamer!
I want more Heavy Rain games or games like it! Psychological Thrillers is a goldmine Sony has discovered! Many old friends that dont play games that much are crazy about this game. Get it on whit more games!
Great news now maybe my LittleBigPlanet level will come back since those MM aholes moderatored it 4 no reasons after all the time and cash i spent supporting their product!!
Good news. I love MM and I hope I see more games made by them! LBP is simply one of the best games ever created.
Brilliant move, Sony. Can’t wait to see what comes next from MM.
Media Molecule is great!
@77 “Independent” no longer.
buy more companys….it could bring more great games to ps3!!!
not that there arnt any now…..there are alot!!!!!
welcome to the family Mm!!!
I’m happy about that!
can’t wait to see their next game!
taught i would be unlikely if it was ”little big planet 2”
since DLC is there!
bring ”Rocket: robot on wheel” on PSN made by Sucker Punch, you know, HD more frame….
ask nerve software to port Doom and Doom 2 on PSN like they did for XBLA
Hell yes!!!… Mm! rocks…Welcome to the Playstation Nation… Sony you make some silly decisions sometimes…but this by far was GENIUS!!
I’m having a hard time with Create Trophy..
If anyone could please heart me as an author I’ll be happy to heart him back.
PSN = BumperSticker