Dreams, a game creation system developed by Media Molecule and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, debuted on the PlayStation 4 in February 2020. The game empowers players to craft and explore user-generated content spanning various forms, including games, audiovisual experiences, and game assets. These creations can be shared with others or remixed to fuel further innovation in the community.
Within Dreams, players can delve into a diverse array of games developed by Media Molecule utilizing the game’s own tools. These include notable titles like Art’s Dream, Ancient Dangers: A Bat’s Tale, A Long Climb Ago, alongside various virtual reality mini-games and Tren. Media Molecule announced on April 11, 2023, via their website, their decision to discontinue live service support for Dreams by September 2023, redirecting their focus towards an undisclosed new project. Despite this shift, online server support will persist, alongside ongoing bug fixing, in-game curation, official streams, and active community engagement and promotion efforts. Dreams will continue to be available for purchase following the cessation of live service support.
In Dreams, players guide an “imp,” functioning akin to a mouse cursor, to interact with the game’s world and interface, enabling tasks such as crafting new items and characters, as well as manipulating objects through grabbing and pulling actions. Two control schemes are available for moving the imp: either by utilizing the DualShock 4 or PlayStation Move controllers for movement and rotation, or by using the left and right analog sticks. Furthermore, players have the freedom to customize their imp, which can possess characters within dreams, granting direct control over these entities. The game is structured into six primary sections: DreamSurfing, DreamShaping, Highlights, Profile, Community Jam, and Homespace. Additionally, Dreams includes an internally developed game by Media Molecule named Art’s Dream. Beyond the realm of user-generated content, Dreams unfolds within the Dreamiverse, a surreal dimension composed of dreams and creative concepts. Within this realm, the Dream Queen reigns, aiding players in understanding the intricacies of Dreams. Initially, new players utilize the Dream Queen’s Homespace before unlocking their personal space within the Dreamiverse. Moreover, the Dreamiverse hosts the Architect and Designer, experts who guide players in DreamShaping through in-game tutorials, along with Imps, player-controlled entities responsible for manipulating objects and embodying characters. Every creation within Dreams resides within the Dreamiverse, encompassing the extensive catalogue of creations available for browsing and integration into players’ own projects.
