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Media Molecule reportedly developing a PlayStation Animal crossing-like game. Ethan Crossfield Sep 18, 2026, 10:35 Animal Crossing: New Horizons demonstrated how strongly players can connect with relaxed life-simulation games, especially when shared activities and creative customization are involved. Nintendo's exclusive release left PlayStation owners without access to that experience, but a new report suggests Sony's platform could receive its own answer. Media Molecule, the studio behind Dreams and LittleBigPlanet, is reportedly developing an unnamed game with clear Animal Crossing influences. A reported PlayStation life sim is still far away. According to a report from MP1st, Media Molecule's project is an open-world game expected to arrive in 2027. The report also claims that the title will draw inspiration from Harvest Moon, suggesting a broader focus on everyday activities and life-simulation systems rather than a conventional action format. No official announcement has been made by Media Molecule or Sony, and the game's name, setting, and core features remain unknown. The same report indicates that the project is not being designed as a game-as-a-service release. If accurate, that could allow players to experience the game offline instead of depending on a persistent online model. Social features are reportedly planned, however, which may point toward multiplayer or community-focused activities. Why Media Molecule is an interesting fit. Media Molecule's previous games provide a useful indication of why this leak has attracted attention. Dreams gave players extensive tools for building their own experiences, while LittleBigPlanet established the studio's reputation for accessible creativity and user-generated content. An Animal Crossing-inspired game from the developer could therefore place unusual emphasis on shaping and personalizing the player's surroundings. That possibility is particularly notable because New Horizons made island customization one of its defining features. The reported project may not follow the same formula, but Media Molecule's creative background could support a world that gives players more control over what they build, change, and share. At this stage, though, there is no confirmed information about the extent of those systems. The leak needs to be treated carefully. The reported 2027 window leaves considerable time for the project to change before it is formally shown. The source claims that a full reveal should not be expected before 2027, meaning even the basic description of the game may be incomplete or outdated. Development conditions also make any unannounced project difficult to predict, particularly while studios across the industry continue to reassess their plans. For now, the safest conclusion is that PlayStation may be preparing a cozy, socially oriented game with Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon influences. Until Sony or Media Molecule confirms the project, its release timing, platform plans, and features should all be considered unverified. Key points. * Media Molecule is reportedly developing an unnamed open-world game for PlayStation. * The project is said to combine Animal Crossing-style elements with Harvest Moon influences. * A 2027 release is reportedly planned, with a full reveal not expected before then. * The game may include offline play and social features, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Expert view. If the report is accurate, the project would give PlayStation a stronger presence in the cozy life-simulation space while leveraging Media Molecule's established creative identity. Its reported offline structure could also distinguish it from service-driven releases, while social systems would preserve the community appeal that helped New Horizons become so influential. The main question is whether the studio can translate its creation-focused design into a complete, approachable life sim without losing clarity or momentum before launch.
PlayStation is reportedly planning an Animal Crossing-style social sim for 2027. Media Molecule is reportedly developing a social simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, though neither PlayStation nor the studio has confirmed it. PlayStation is reportedly preparing an Animal Crossing-style social simulation game from Media Molecule, with both a reveal and release said to be targeting 2027. Neither Sony nor Media Molecule has announced the project, however, so its existence, platforms and schedule remain unconfirmed. According to a report by MP1st, relayed by ComicBook.com, the game is inspired by Nintendo's Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon. Those comparisons suggest a gentler blend of community, customisation and daily routines than the action-led games more commonly associated with PlayStation Studios. The project is also said not to be live-service, although that is part of the same unverified report rather than a confirmed direction from Sony. Media Molecule would make a natural fit for a social game with a creative bent. PlayStation acquired the Guildford studio in 2010, and both LittleBigPlanet and Dreams were shaped around players making and sharing their own work. The report offers no detail on whether creator tools will return here, nor does it identify a setting, title or specific multiplayer systems, but the studio's history makes the alleged genre shift less left-field than it first sounds. A 2027 target is still a long way off, particularly for a project that has not been shown publicly. PlayStation's future schedule already includes games with confirmed dates, including Final Fantasy VII Revelation, due on 8th April 2027. This supposed Media Molecule game should remain firmly in the rumour column until Sony or the developer shares a name, trailer or release window of its own. Watch's before doors sessions. Intimate, stripped-back live sessions filmed moments before the doors open. Raw sound, real rooms, no second takes. Subscribe on YouTube so you never miss a new one.
Report: Dreams and LittleBigPlanet studio Media Molecule developing new open-world IP. Media Molecule is reportedly working on a new open-world IP. British PlayStation studio Media Molecule is reportedly working on a new open-world IP. The report comes courtesy of MP1st and an online portfolio from a senior environment designer who has been with the studio since April 2025. The portfolio specifies that the designer is working with Media Molecule on an "unannounced project, New IP." Their duties involve "level blocking out main POIs, moment-to-moment gameplay, forage design, and scripting various gameplay elements." Elsewhere in the portfolio, "open-world content" is mentioned. Paired with "forage design," it certainly could hint at survival or crafting mechanics that have become common in other open-world experiences, and the aforementioned "main POIs" are an established feature of most open-world titles. In May 2024, Media Molecule co-founder Mark Healey shared some information on what he knew of the project, saying, "I don't know exactly what state their project is in now, I don't think it's secret news that they're working on a new IP, for example. I would dare to go as far as saying it's more of a game than a creative tool, from what I understand about it." Healey left the studio in 2023, and John Beech stepped up as the new creative director for the studio. A PlayStation State of Play showcase is planned for June 2, 2026, but there's no reason to believe that Videogames Chronicle'll see Media Molecule's next game at the event.
LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule's next game reportedly features 'open-world content' An even bigger planet. Sony's first-party studio, Media Molecule, is reportedly working on a brand-new game with open-world elements. As reported by MP1st, information about the LittleBigPlanet and Dreams studio's next project comes from the resume of a current Media Molecule employee. The resume notes that the studio is working on an unannounced project, which will feature "open-world content." Fans have longed for a return to LittleBigPlanet, but it doesn't seem like this new project will be another Sackboy adventure. The resume specifically notes that this is a new IP, meaning fans may not want to expect a direct follow-up to the studio's previous work. That doesn't mean something like LittleBigPlanet will never return, but if the information presented in this resume is accurate, a new entry seems unlikely to arrive soon. There isn't too much else to latch on to in this resume, but it does indicate Media Molecule is going for a larger sense of scale. The studio is best known for LittleBigPlanet and Dreams, two games that empower the player to create their own experiences with in-game tools. Dreams, a game IGN gave a 9/10, especially leaned on allowing players to create full-blown games with unique mechanics, art styles, and more. It was like a true game engine, and those who embraced Dreams made some extremely cool stuff with it, but Media Molecule ultimately ended support for the game three years after its release. Sumo Digital developed LittleBigPlanet 3 and Sackboy: A Big Adventure, so it's possible that the team could produce another entry in the series in the future. However, Sackboy was removed from PlayStation Productions branding, leading some to fear he won't be coming back anytime soon. Whatever this new game is, past statements from the company suggest it may have been in the works as early as 2023. Media Molecule noted in October of that year that it had spent that year transitioning to a new project. Outside of the highly ambitious Dreams, Media Molecule isn't known for making the kind of AAA game that takes an absurd amount of money and half a decade to produce. Depending on the scope of the game, maybe we will hear about it at the upcoming State of Play in June. We'll have to wait and see what happens, but it sounds like whatever this next game is, it will be different from the studio's past games. Meanwhile, Sony is still working on the PlayStation 6. The company said earlier this month that it is still trying to work out when the device will launch. Cade Onder is a freelancer for IGN's news team. He covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder. Get IGN's Biggest Stories FIRST. Set Us as Your Source. Add Source
It's release, along with the game being made one of the free games for PS Plus subscribers for the month of August attracted more than 100,000 players to the Dreams community, and MediaMolecule has just released its first patch for Tren.
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