Media Molecule

Media Molecule
Media Molecule
Type Subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment
Industry Video game industry
Founded 4 January 2006
Headquarters Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
Key people Mark Healey
Alex Evans
David Smith
Kareem Ettouney
Siobhan Reddy
Products LittleBigPlanet series
Owner(s) Sony Corporation
Employees 40+[1]
Parent Sony Computer Entertainment
Website http://www.mediamolecule.com/

Media Molecule is a British video game developer based in Guildford in Surrey. The studio was founded in January 2006[2] by former Lionhead Studios employees Mark Healey, Alex Evans, Dave Smith, and Kareem Ettouney.[3] Before starting the company, the founders worked together on Healey's independent game Rag Doll Kung Fu while still at Lionhead.[4]

The studio's first game is the PlayStation 3 title LittleBigPlanet, which was announced and demonstrated at the Game Developers Conference 2007. The plan was always to produce a chart-topping game, but to keep the size of the company as small as possible so as to keep a tight rein on costs. Evans in particular was keen to avoid what he calls the "cycle of debt". It was chiefly this concern that led the founders to consider user-generated content.[5] LittleBigPlanet 's best selling point became its set of level-creation tools and the ability to publish that content on the Internet. "Every time you boot up there are more levels to play," says Evans. Media Molecule won the Studio of the Year award at the Spike Video Game Awards 2008. LittleBigPlanet scored a 95 on Metacritic.[6] The game also won numerous game of the year awards leading to a 'Game Of The Year Edition' a year later.

Media Molecule also worked with SCE Studio Cambridge in the development of LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation Portable which was released in 2009. The PlayStation 3 sequel to LittleBigPlanet, LittleBigPlanet 2, was released in January 2011.

On 2 March 2010, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) announced that it had acquired Media Molecule.[7]

Games

Game Title Release Platform Notes
LittleBigPlanet 2008 PlayStation 3

BAFTA Award for Artistic Achievement.[8]
Eight AIAS Interactive Achievement Awards.[9]
Various Game of the Year Awards.

LittleBigPlanet 2009 PlayStation Portable Developed by SCE Cambridge Studio in conjunction with Media Molecule.[10][11]
Sackboy's Prehistoric Moves 2010 PlayStation 3 Developed by Xdev in conjunction with Media Molecule.
LittleBigPlanet 2 2011 PlayStation 3 Set five Guinness World Records, including 'most gaming genres in one video game', and 'most player-created levels in one video game'.[12]

References

  1. ^ Michael Denny (2 March 2010). "Media Molecule Officially Joins The PlayStation Family". PlayStation Blog. http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/03/02/media-molecule-officially-joins-the-playstation-family/. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  2. ^ Simons, Iain (2007). Inside Game Design. Laurence King (published 2007-09-27). ISBN 978-1856695329. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3046/book_excerpt_inside_game_design_.php. Retrieved 2007-12-14 
  3. ^ "Media Molecule sign exclusive deal with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe". Media Molecule. 2006-09-21. http://mediamolecule.com/Sep06Media_Molecule.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-14. 
  4. ^ Boyer, Brandon (2006-11-10). "Q&A: The Organic Chemistry Of Media Molecule". Gamasutra. CMP Technology. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11653. Retrieved 2007-12-14. 
  5. ^ "Media Molecule". Director.co.uk. http://director.co.uk/MAGAZINE/2009/1%20Jan/Media_Molecule_62_6.html. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  6. ^ "LittleBigPlanet for PlayStation 3 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. 2008-10-27. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/littlebigplanet?q=Media%20Molecule. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  7. ^ "Sony Computer Entertainment Acquires Media Molecule Studios". 2010-03-02. http://www.mediamolecule.com/images/uploads/files/20100302-sony_computer_entertainment_acquires_media_molecule.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-27. 
  8. ^ "Three Baftas for Call of Duty 4". BBC. 2009-03-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7936204.stm. Retrieved 2010-05-11. 
  9. ^ "2009 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards". Interactive.org. http://www.interactive.org/awards/2009_12th_awards.asp. Retrieved 2010-10-24. 
  10. ^ Brian Crecente (2009-02-24). "LittleBigPlanet, Rock Band, Assassin's Creed Coming to PSP". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5159408/littlebigplanet-rock-band-assassins-creed-coming-to-psp. 
  11. ^ Miller, Greg (2009-02-24). "MEGATON: Major Franchises Assault PSP". IGN. http://uk.psp.ign.com/articles/956/956591p1.html. Retrieved 2009-02-25. 
  12. ^ "LittleBigPlanet 2 Sets Five Guinness World Records Over a Three Day Period". IGN. 20 January 2011. http://ps3.ign.com/articles/114/1145110p1.html. Retrieved 7 March 2011. 

External links