Sony buys 'LittleBigPlanet' creator Media Molecule
Sony said Tuesday that it had acquired Media Molecule, the game developer behind the wildly popular "LittleBigPlanet."
Financial terms were not disclosed. Media Molecule, based in Surrey, England, will become part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. The studio was already an exclusive developer for Sony, meaning it did not make games for competing gaming systems.
"LittleBigPlanet" has been one of the best-selling titles on Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 console. It has sold more than a million copies in the U.S. The game lets users build their own game levels for others to play, and has won dozens of video gaming awards.
Sony Computer Entertainment says players have created more than 2 million levels for the game. PlayStation 3 owners can download and play these for free.
"Since they burst onto the gaming scene, Media Molecule have proved to be a truly exciting and innovative studio," said Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios, in a statement. "To bring them into our family proves our dedication to creating fantastic new experiences that we believe will cement our position as industry leaders."
Media Molecule's awards include prizes for best debut, game design, technology and innovation at last year's Game Developers Choice Awards in San Francisco.
Copyright 2010 AP News
