Former Media Molecule Co-Founder Continues Work on LittleBigPlanet Commodore 64 Demake

Former Media Molecule Co-Founder Continues Work on LittleBigPlanet Commodore 64 Demake Mark Healey, the celebrated co-founder of Media Molecule and a pivotal force behind the acclaimed platformer LittleBigPlanet, may have departed from the studio in 2023, but his creative drive is far from diminished.

Healey continues to surprise the gaming community with his passion project: a Commodore 64 demake of LittleBigPlanet, meticulously crafted as a labor of love and classic game development. A renowned figure in the industry, Healey established his legacy through titles like LittleBigPlanet on the PlayStation 3, where players delighted in creative platforming and level design.

The original game, developed by Media Molecule and released in 2008 under Sony Computer Entertainment, quickly became a staple of the PS3 library, known for its beloved mascot Sackboy and robust user-generated content tools.

Despite the expansive features of the original, Healey’s demake aims to distill LittleBigPlanet's core platforming experience for the iconic Commodore 64 hardware. In a recent update shared on Twitter/X, Healey detailed his ongoing work behind the scenes.

He reported, “I’ve spent more time developing my C64 LittleBigPlanet project, adding speech bubbles that overlap the screen border—a detail C64 enthusiasts will appreciate.

I’ve also been experimenting with soundtracking, steadily improving my skills with Goat Tracker, and trying my hand at a rendition of ‘An English Country Garden.’” The demake is not expected to feature the full suite of user-generated content options, nor match the scope of the original PlayStation 3 version.

Instead, Healey’s approach focuses on reimagining Sackboy’s movement and recapturing the visual essence and platforming joy of LittleBigPlanet within the constraints of classic 8-bit technology. When asked about the inspiration and ongoing work, Healey explained, “I dedicate about an hour each month to this project.

For me, it’s deeply rewarding and creatively fascinating to distill a game to its purest form.

Much like how a great song can shine on just an acoustic guitar, the goal is to capture the fundamental charm at the heart of the gameplay.” Alex Evans, another Media Molecule co-founder who left in 2020, shared additional insight, recalling how Healey’s fascination with a C64 version of LittleBigPlanet actually predated the game’s PlayStation 3 debut.

Evans recounted an early anecdote: “Before Sony acquired us, Mark occasionally worked on a C64 cartridge version.

During an early pitch to Sony, he joked about developing for ‘two platforms’—the C64 and PS3—catching the producer off guard!” Despite leaving Media Molecule, Healey’s continued dedication to the C64 project demonstrates his enduring connection to both the LittleBigPlanet legacy and the retro hardware community.

Fans eager to trace the project’s progress can follow Healey on social media, where he periodically documents new developments and technical triumphs. While a public release seems distant given the gradual pace of production, Healey’s ongoing work is a testament to the lasting influence of classic game development and the power of creative nostalgia within the gaming industry.

Commodore Commodore 64 LittleBigPlanet Mark Healey Media Molecule Sony Computer Entertainment Alex Evans PlayStation 3 C64