Media Molecule

**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

### 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.

### 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*. In December 2022, it was announced that Ettouney would leave Media Molecule in early 2023.

On April 11, 2023, Media Molecule announced that it would end its live-service support of *Dreams* in September of that year. A week later, Healey announced his departure from Media Molecule after seventeen years. In October 2023, Sports Illustrated reported that Media Molecule was to lay off roughly 15 to 20 people. 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.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-29-siobhan-reddy-progress-has-been-made-but-the-issues-havent-gone-away
2. ↑ https://videogames.si.com/news/media-molecule-layoffs
3. ↑ https://www.mediamolecule.com/blog/article/introducing\_mm\_brighton
4. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/media-molecule-co-founder-alex-evans-steps-down
5. ↑ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/media-molecule-co-founder-and-art-director-kareem-ettouney-is-stepping-down/
6. ↑ https://docs.indreams.me/en-US/whats-happening/news/dreams-support-update
7. ↑ https://twitter.com/mediamolecule/status/1647898054274473984
8. ↑ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/dreams-and-littlebigplanet-studio-media-molecule-is-reportedly-laying-off-15-20-of-staff/
9. ↑ https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/10/media-molecule-confirms-report-of-layoffs-has-begun-consultation-process
10. ↑ https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/04/11/dreams-live-support-ending-as-media-molecule-shifts-to-new-project

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

**Other Titles**
*Tearaway* - *Tearaway Unfolded* - *Dreams*

**Technology**: Bubble