Mark Healey, co-founder of Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet) likes having a small team. In an interview with gamesindustry.biz, Healey described having a small team as an opportunity to create content that “really matters” because every person is honestly invested in the project. One drawback to having a small team is that lack of quality control. Which is the reason Healey said that LBP would not be shipping with online cooperative creation.
From the interview:
We could have released the online Create on day one, but we’ve not had time to fully test it and make sure it’s a flawless experience, so I would rather it was a few days late than it was on time and broken. Obviously it’s not ideal, but that’s just the reality of having to meet schedules.
It’s hard to believe that such a great experience is the result of only 30 people, but that’s how Media Molecule rolls. Although it probably goes against Healey’s credo, I wonder how LBP would look with a more typical development team? Would there be more tools, options, and advanced gameplay mechanics or would it be watered down by the weight of numerous people putting together the pieces of the game?
In the end, I suppose it doesn’t matter. But, I could go with more hairstyle options for my Sackboy. The mustache and accidental stickerings are getting a bit stale. Make it happen, Media Molecule.
