In a move that should really surprise no one, Sony has announced its purchase of Media Molecule, the award-winning developer of the LittleBigPlanet games for the PS3 and the PSP.

”Since they burst onto the gaming scene, Media Molecule have proved to be a truly exciting and innovative studio, who have proved their world-class credentials with the creation of the incredible LittleBigPlanet,” said Shuhei Yoshida, President, SCE Worldwide Studios. “SCE WWS is all about creating ambitious, innovative and ground breaking games, traits that Media Molecule clearly have.  To bring them into our family proves our dedication to creating fantastic new experiences that we believe will cement our position as industry leaders.”

“Since Media Molecule’s inception, we’ve had a uniquely close relationship with SCE. Over the years they have consistently shown their dedication to Creative Gaming and Media Molecule, not only through their support of the company, but their willingness to take risks and embrace our often unusual approach and ideas,” said Alex Evans, co-founder of Media Molecule. “What we’ve achieved already with LittleBigPlanet has proved this to us and we’re excited by this new chapter of innovation and creative gaming, for all involved.”

Locking up Media Molecule is a very smart move for Sony, who bring their number of in-house development teams to 15. The Surrey, England based developer has as good a handle on developing for the PS3 as anyone out there, and looked to have a bright future with Sony even before the acquisition, as part of Sony’s Play, Create and Share plans. Although, as we’ve seen in return history with in-house studios (the shuttering of Pandemic, the fade to obscurity of Rare since being purchased by Microsoft), giving up control of your future to a larger corporate entity doesn’t always work out in the end. Of course, if they just keep producing decent-selling, award-winning titles, they should have little to worry about.