Friday, July 5, 2019

Permaculture Farm Demo

I've had some extra free time recently, so I spent it creating the below level in Dreams! 

I wanted to try visualizing what could be a real place. There are many pieces of software that do this for architectural design (There's even a home improvement show on BBC  that uses VR to demo potential changes, 'Your Home Made Perfect).

The Dreams engine is unlikely to match professional software for detail and accuracy - but surely the gameplay tools add a lot, as players have the ability to interact and explore scenes in an engaging way. Check out the video below:



I added info tokens, so players can learn more while they explore the level. There is great potential for educational levels like this I think. Screenshots below show off the level in more detail:











Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Update - Media Molecule May News Letter

So Media Molecule have released their May newsletter. You can read it here:

https://www.mediamolecule.com/blog/newsletter/may_2019_newsletter

I'm surprised we're still in Early Access... which launched well over a month ago. (Dreams Early Access is a chance to purchase the game for a discounted price while large updates and patches are still being rolled out. At the time of writing, and in the UK, Early Access is still available as far as I know - this is a great opportunity to save some cash before the game is released with full retail price). The update on Early Access from the newsletter is pasted below:

Early Access Update #1!

Early Access Update #1! The first big update to Dreams Creator Early Access is right around the corner, and we can't wait to show you what we've been working on! Dreams' first Early Access patch will have new content for you to play around with, fixes and improvements to the game based on your feedback and more!

We can't wait to share details of everything included shortly, so stay tuned to our social channels!

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Media Molecule March 2019 Newsletter

Oh hi everybody,

Media Molecule have updated their March 2019 Newsletter! They explicitly draw everyones attention to the fact that they promised Early Access to Dreams in Spring 2019, and that it is now officially Spring 2019 :) Exciting times.

Also, check out the below Dreams infographic with facts and figures from the BETA:

Dreams BETA infographic

Friday, February 22, 2019

Have you signed up to be the first to hear about Dreams Early Access?

A new post on the PlayStation Blog announces Early Access to Media Molecule's Dreams will be available from Spring 2019! We don't quite know when in spring, and to add to the anxiety Early Access spaces will be limited.

A link on the blog offers updates in exchange for your PSN ID. links to the US and EU sign up site are included below. Mm have promised to announce further regions that will benefit from early access in due course.

I for one am a little nervous. By all accounts, the early access sounds like a brilliant deal for players who already know they want the game. It may have a lower price point than at full release, and there is the obvious benefit of getting your hands on it ASAP. However, during the closed Beta, communication issues meant some players were left disappointed when technicalities around the sign-up process delayed their access. I hope Mm find a way to limit disappointment this time around. I will be watching all news sources like a hawk for announcements...

EU Blog Early Access announcement
https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2019/02/20/dreams'-creator-early-access-launches-this-spring-here's-everything-you-need-to-know/

US Blog Early Access announcement
https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/02/20/dreams-creator-early-access-launches-this-spring/

Friday, February 8, 2019

End of the Beta

The Beta testing phase for Media Molecule's Dreams wrapped up at the beginning of this week.

Dreams Creator Beta finished

It was fantastic to be involved. The Beta completely smashed my expectations, which were incredibly high. I've included some screenshots below, but I'll write more about the Beta, and share pics and videos of player content later in the week.

For now, I just can't wait for them to drop the release date!

Beta - Halfling Village screenshot

Some scenery from a fantasy game I was building. This was the first game I started. Sadly the Beta ended before I could finish it :(

Beta Connie the Cone Screenshot

Connie the Cone in her home space.


Beta abstract red art

Some surreal art made sing random kaleidoscopic shapes that were set on spinners. I made videos of these and will upload soon.

Beta abstract red art 2

I used gadgets in game to create a pulsing effect with the colours and lights which looked really cool. Can't wait to play around like this more when the game comes out, and perhaps turn them into an abstract game!


Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Dreams Creator Beta announced














Media Molecule has finally announced the long-awaited Beta release for Dreams!

On their Twitch live stream earlier today, they mentioned anyone who had previously signed up to the Mm Newsletter (and fulfilled certain requirements) would be invited to download an access code. After this, they will roll out further access from the 4th January. The Beta is billed as a 'Creator' Beta, so specifically for people who want to play around with the creative tools.

You can read more about the Dreams Beta on Media Molecules FAQ below:


https://www.mediamolecule.com/blog/article/dreams_creator_beta_faq

Thursday, November 29, 2018

World Building with Kareem

The latest Dreams stream featuring Kareem from Wednesday 28th is below if you missed it.

You can watch the video on YouTube here. Or on Twitch here.


Sculpting an impressive environment in about an hour!


If you follow Media Molecule on Twitter you may have seen their poll asking fans what kind of world they would like to see Kareem build live. 'High Fantasy' won out.

Basically no assets were created ahead of time, so although this video doesn't show off many new features, I still loved seeing how potentially easy it is to create something that looks so cool and original in so little time! Apparently, the environment will be included when the game releases.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Early Dreams Stream with Shuhei Yoshida

It's an old video (From July 2016) but I thought I'd post it now because... why not! The video features Alex, Dave, and Kareem of Media Molecule sitting and talking with Shuhei Yoshida, who is a godfather-like figure at Sony Computer Entertainment.

Dreams PS4 - Exclusive In-development Gameplay with Shuhei Yoshida!

 

The video starts with some time-lapsed sculpting, including a very arty and impressive head that looks like it's carved out of stone, and then seemingly in complete contrast, we see some kind of energy being made out of moving lights! The video moves on to show Shuhei play through a game. The levels and characters here look to be those that will feature in the story mode which will be included with Dreams on release. The video rounds up with the guys creating a level.

What I find amazing about this video is to see how far along in development the game was over two years ago! It feels as though Mm must have applied painstaking attention to detail on the finishing touches of Dreams. Hope it will be worth the wait.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Dreams Stream scheduled for 28th Nov at 5pm GMT

Check out the below tweet from Mm confirming a live stream of Kareem (Art Director) creating an environment that will be playable in the open beta 'later this year'.

Vote for the type of environment you want Kareem to create


The Tweet includes a poll to vote on what kind of level Kareem should create. Options are; Dystopian, Alien World, High Fantasy or Surrealism. I would be most tempted by Alien or High Fantasy, but then I might pick Surrealism just to see what whacky stuff he can come up with.

Kareem will be returning to the Mm sofa on Wednesday 28th November at 5PM GMT for another session of World Building, creating a world YOU'LL be able to interact with during the beta later this year! Read more here:

Monday, November 5, 2018

LittleBigPlanet in DreamsPS4


Media Molecule recreate LBP in Dreams on PS4


Some hard-core LBP nostalgia in this recent video from Mm. Who remembers playing these games on PS3 or PS4?

From the description:

LittleBigPlanet, our first game as Media Molecule, turns 10 years old this month. To honour the occasion, we created The Garden in #DreamsPS4! Check out the single player here, and watch a FOUR player playthrough in our full video!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Realtime Concept Art - Dreams PS4

Emilie Stabell, an Artist at Media Molecule working on Dreams has posted the below video showcasing concept art made within Dreams. Enjoy!

Realtime Concept Art - Dreams PS4 from Emilie Stabell on Vimeo.

Beautiful Environment Design

Awesome to see a video demonstrating some of the weather effects available through the creation tools in Dreams. I'm not sure how the ground snow was created, but it really works to change up the scene. Also, the odd tree house on a hill is completely transformed in the stormy rain vs the summer weather.

Friday, November 2, 2018

LittleBigPlanet 3 for PS3 and PS4 - Player Content

Dreams isn't out yet, so I thought it would be nice to look back at some player made levels from LittleBigPlanet 3!

The LBP series is in every sense a precursor to Dreams. The levels and games created by the community from the latest installment LBP3 (first released on PS3 and then later the PS4) could give is a rough idea of the kinds of levels players might create in Dreams.

Will player made content from Dreams surpass player made content from LBP3?




It's amazing to see the variety of content that people have been able to make given the 2D constraints of the LittleBigPlanet level editor. I say 2D, although by the third installment I believe players had 16 layers available to play with. Along with a set of tools that had been fine-tuned over the previous two installments, players had fairly ample creative freedom in LBP. Dreams promises to give even more of course, which is what makes it so exciting.