Media Molecule, the studio known for LittleBigPlanet and Dreams, may be preparing a game quite different from its previous projects. According to new information obtained by MP1st, the developer’s next title will be a social simulation game inspired by titles such as Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, with a reveal reportedly planned for 2027.

What’s About the New Social Project

The project has yet to be officially announced by Sony or Media Molecule, so the information should be treated as a rumor. However, sources familiar with the production claim that the current plan is not only to reveal the game next year, but also to release it sometime in 2027. The release window could change during development, but the announcement is reportedly expected to happen regardless of any potential delay.

The new details complement information published by the same outlet around four months ago. At the time, job listings and other evidence related to the studio pointed to the development of a new intellectual property featuring open-world content. Sources now indicate that this structure will be used for an experience primarily centred around social and simulation elements.

The cited inspirations are Nintendo’s Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, a series that helped popularize games built around everyday activities, relationships, and the gradual development of communities. There is currently no information about which of these elements Media Molecule will directly incorporate, nor are there details regarding the setting, characters, progression systems, or potential multiplayer features.

Another point mentioned by the sources is that the new project is reportedly not being developed as a live-service game. This does not rule out updates or ongoing elements after launch, but it suggests that its core structure will not follow a traditional GaaS model.

The information is also notable because of how long it has been since the studio’s last release. Media Molecule launched Dreams in 2020 and ended active support for the game in 2023. The platform allowed players to create and share games, animations, music, and various other experiences using the tools provided within the title itself, but it ultimately never received a PS5 version or PlayStation VR2 support.

Since then, the developer’s future has undergone significant changes. In 2024, co-founder Mark Healey said that Media Molecule came close to being shut down by Sony during a period of restructuring at PlayStation Studios. The company remained open and later confirmed that it was working on a new intellectual property, while also making it clear that the project would not be Dreams 2.

Last Word on Media Molecule’s New Game

If the information is confirmed, the biggest development is the direction Media Molecule has chosen after Dreams. The studio will continue working on a new intellectual property, but it appears to be moving away from the idea of building another platform primarily based on user-generated content in favor of developing an experience with a more defined structure.

The inspiration from Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon also fits with some of the developer’s historical strengths, particularly its colourful worlds, customizable characters, and experiences with a strong community element. Even so, there is still not enough information to know how much of that identity will remain in the new project. With an announcement reportedly planned for 2027, the upcoming title is expected to be Media Molecule’s first release in seven years and could also show what role the studio will play within the current PlayStation Studios structure.