I’m intrigued. Media Molecule, the Guildford studio behind Dreams, is at the centre of a fresh rumour that positions the developer far from its platforming roots and into the cosy, communal world of life sims. Take this with a pinch of salt, but per MP1st — as reported by Push Square — the studio's next project is allegedly a social simulation inspired by Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, and it is expected to be both announced and released in 2027.
What Was Reported
According to Push Square, quoting a report from MP1st, the key claims are straightforward:
- Media Molecule's next game is a social simulation inspired by Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon.
- The title is allegedly set to be both announced and released in 2027.
- MP1st says the game is not a game-as-a-service.
- The outlet warns the project could still be pushed back due to the "tumultuous nature of game development", but it will be revealed in 2027 "at the very least."
- Previous reporting reportedly suggested the game will include open world aspects.
Push Square also notes that Media Molecule wound down active support for Dreams and had stated it was "working on a new project" in April, with post-launch support for Dreams ending in September 2023 — context that frames how long the studio has been building its next game.
The Source & Credibility
We’re relying on a second-hand account here: Push Square relays claims made by MP1st, which itself cites "sources familiar with the project." That chain is worth digging into before treating these statements as fact.
What To Make Of The Chain
- MP1st is named as the origin of the claims; Push Square passed those claims along rather than directly confirming them.
- The report includes a direct caveat from MP1st that the schedule could slip, and even uses the phrasing "at the very least," which suggests uncertainty is already baked into the rumour.
- Given the indirect sourcing, and the way development can change, these details should be considered unconfirmed until a developer or publisher statement appears.
I remain cautiously optimistic — the rumour answers a long-running question about what Media Molecule has been doing since it scaled back work on Dreams.
What It Could Mean
If true, this would mark a notable tonal and mechanical shift for Media Molecule. The studio is best known for imaginative platformers and creative tool-driven experiences; a social sim in the vein of Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon would be a different direction.
- Being not a game-as-a-service could appeal to players wary of live-service models.
- Open world elements — if they’re present as previous reports suggest — might indicate the studio aims for a broader, more exploratory life-sim experience.
- Reveal-and-release in 2027, if accurate, would be an aggressive timeline that explains why MP1st flagged potential slippage.
It’s also worth placing this rumour in the wider chatter about 2027: we’ve covered other alleged 2027 projects recently, such as New Super Smash Bros. and rumours around Naughty Dog. If multiple outlets are pointing to big reveals next year, 2027 could be busier than expected — again, if these reports hold up.
Why This Matters
This matters because a shift from platforming and creation tools to a social sim would be a clear strategic pivot for Media Molecule. If the studio can translate its trademark charm and whimsical presentation into a life-sim space, it could carve out a unique spot among cosy games — and it would answer a long-standing question about what the team moved onto after stepping back from Dreams.
That said, the chain of reporting and the explicit caveat about potential delays mean we should temper expectations. I’ll be watching for any direct confirmation from Media Molecule or its publisher, and for more concrete evidence beyond the current leaks. Until then, this is an intriguing possibility — one that, if true, would be a very different kind of game from what many of us expected from the studio.
