14 DAY TRIAL // One of the biggest games released for the PlayStation 3 console from Sony in 2008 was LittleBigPlanet, a project created by British developer Media Molecule.
The game is a platformer at heart, but also features a very deep level editor that allows players to create their own levels and then share them with their friends. Since release, the game has been getting regular DLC packs, all featuring different incarnations of the lovable SackBoy mascot.
So, how does a developer follow up on such a deep and well received game? Well, according to Alex Evans, cofounder of Media Molecule, the solution is to create a title cooler than the previous one.
Talking in an interview for Gamasutra, Evans stated that “It's a quite interesting thing because it was like a magnet. Everyone sort of on that thing, then I suddenly saw these people kind of going, 'Oh my god, far from being tired of LBP, I suddenly see this untapped potential’”. Basically, at this point, the team is brainstorming trying to see what idea sticks out and manages to gain traction with all the members.
While thinking of their next big release, the guys at Media Molecule are also collaborating with a team from Sony Cambridge on porting LittleBigPlanet to the PlayStaton Portable, as part of Sony’s attempt to revitalize its handheld gaming platform. That title will probably be out in 2009.
One sure thing is that user created content will continue to be one of the elements central to all games coming from Media Molecule. Alex Evans says that engaging players and unleashing their creativity should be among the most important aspects of all games. We’ll probably have to wait a bit longer to have an official statement on the next project stimulating our creativity the Media Molecule way.