Media Molecule, the studio behind LittleBigPlanet and Dreams, is working on a new open-world game with a brand-new intellectual property. The project moved into full-scale development after a pre-production phase, with a focus on traditional gameplay rather than user creation tools as seen in previous titles [1, 2, 3].
The new game is described as a distinct departure from their earlier experimental platforms, aiming for more conventional game elements like resource gathering and survival mechanics. Mark Healey, former Media Molecule creative director, said the effort "is more like a game rather than a creation tool" [3].
A Media Molecule employee's resume confirmed responsibilities related to visual style and map design for open-world content, underscoring the studio's direction [1, 2, 3]. The team has faced challenges, including a 20% staff reduction in late 2023 during a strategic reorganization to focus resources on this new project [3].
Media Molecule ended long-term support for Dreams in September 2023 to concentrate fully on the new game [1, 3]. In April 2025, environment designer Raphael Kidd joined the project to lead early production and open-world design, signaling a ramp-up in development effort [2].
The studio is expected to share official details during Sony's State of Play event in June 2026, which may include a reveal or new information about the game [1].
