Media Molecule, LittleBigPlanet Dominate Develop Awards

Together, Media Molecule and its LittleBigPlanet have swept the Develop Industry Excellence Awards in Brighton, taking home wins in the Best New IP, Visual Arts, Technical Innovation, Best New Studio and Best Independent Developer categories. Event organizers say over 500 attendees turned out for the honors, hosted by English comedian Jason Manford. It's the seventh year for the event, which aims to honor the best of the European development industry -- although some Technology & Services subcategories accept non-European winners. Among the honorees: Former Sony Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison, who recently moved to a non-executive board role at Atari, was celebrated with the Development Legend award, and agent Jacqui Lyons received the Lifetime Achievement honor. In addition, Codemasters received the Grand Prix award for its achievements over its 25-year lifespan. The full list of winners in each category is as follows: Creativity Best New IP LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule) Best Use of a License Lego Batman (Traveller's Tales) Visual Arts LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule) Audio Accomplishment Fable II (Lionhead) Publishing Hero Apple Technology & Services Technical Innovation LittleBigPlanet (Media Molecule) Best Tools Provider Autodesk Best Engine Unreal Engine 3 (Epic Games) Recruitment Company Amiqus Services Audiomotion Creative Outsourcing Side & Sidelines Studios Best New Studio Media Molecule Best Handheld Games Studio Rockstar Leeds Business Development Playfish Best Independent Developer Media Molecule Best In-House Team Rockstar North Special Recognition Development Legend Phil Harrison Lifetime Achievement Award Jacqui Lyons Grand Prix Codemasters "When the industry is often wrongly criticized for its reliance on licensed titles, Media Molecule has shown the value in a wholly original approach," said Develop Magazine editor-in-chief Michael French of the awards' biggest winner. "We salute the winners, and pat the shoulders of those nominated -- but everyone in the business should be rightly congratulated for another stellar year."