Media Molecule co-founder Mark Healey leaves the studio

The creative director is moving on to new ventures

Mark Healey, a co-founder of Media Molecule who’s been with the company for 17 years, has announced his departure from the studio.

Healey co-founded Media Molecule alongside Alex Evans, David Smith, and Kareem Ettouney in 2006. Now, the developer shared on social media that it’s time for him to “fly the nest” and head to new ventures.

(1/4) So, after SEVENTEEN incredible years of co-birthing and building Media Molecule – I have decided it is time for me to fly the nest – set sail and chart a new course – today is my last day at MM. pic.twitter.com/Z5tORKEr74

— Marcos (@marcoshealey) April 17, 2023

“From LittleBigPlanet to Dreams and beyond – proud to have played my part and lucky to have jammed with some truly brilliant people – and such a wonderfully talented Community which I will continue to be a fan of,” Healey said. “But a strong cosmic breeze is pulling me and my pirate heart is awakened, I’m not getting any younger so am going to indulge myself in the winds of my various curiosities for a while and see where they take me.

“So here’s to new beginnings, following one’s heart and exploring the unknown – Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum – I’m off on a Pirate adventure! (One that involves making games that is).”

Dreaming of new horizons

Healey acted as creative director on big games like Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet and the 2020 game creation tool Dreams. And his departure arrives not long after the studio announced it would be ending live service support for Dreams this coming September.

Hopefully, this isn’t an indication of turbulent times at Media Molecule. Dreams is an incredible piece of software that felt like it was waiting for its big breakout moment; I’ve played tons of wild, interesting stuff on it. And in a world where user-generated content is a bit of a buzzword, you’d hope Media Molecule would have a prominent place in it.