LittleBigPlanet Vita dev signs exclusivity deal with Sony
Sony has added another LittleBigPlanet developer to its collection. Franchise originator Media Molecule became a Sony-exclusive first party in 2010, and now PlayStation Vita LBP developer Double Eleven is joining them in the exclusive club, though through a contract and not outright ownership.
Double Eleven has signed a deal with Sony in which the developer, formed by ex-Rockstar Leeds lead engineers, will create games exclusively for SCEE. That includes LittleBigPlanet, along with "new titles for Sony platforms" -- mostly the Vita, we assume, given the studio's predilection for handheld gaming.
Show full PR text
Double Eleven Becomes Sony Exclusive Developer
Focus to be on PlayStation®VITA software
London, 19th July 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that UK-based game development studio Double Eleven had signed a deal which would see the company, currently working on LittleBigPlanet for PSVITA developing games exclusively for SCEE and Sony platforms.
Double Eleven are one of the brightest new UK development studios, having been formed by former Rockstar Leeds lead-engineers in 2010. Double Eleven were recently revealed as the architects behind the technology driving LittleBigPlanet on PS VITA at the recent E3 in Los Angeles.
Under the terms of the deal, Double Eleven will work on LittleBigPlanet but will also begin to develop new titles for Sony platforms.
"Double Eleven are one of the most exciting developers to emerge onto the development scene in recent years, their technical expertise makes them a great fit for LittleBigPlanet on PSVITA and we've very pleased with the progress the team have made on this hugely anticipated title," explained Michael Denny, Senior Vice President, SCE Worldwide Studios Europe.
"For us to become strong partners with Sony at such a crucial stage in our own development underlines the unswerving commitment we have made to the quality of our production, said Lee Hutchinson, CEO at Double Eleven. It is a testament to the hard work of all the exceptional team here at Double Eleven and we're delighted that this agreement will help our company grow and flourish, working on prestigious titles, on leading-edge platforms. The opportunity to work so closely with Sony is simply fantastic and we look forward to a truly exciting new phase in our own development, with the absolute intention to become a world-class studio."
