LittleBigPlanet 3 is in development at Shiefield-based studio Sumo Digital, VG247 understands.

VG247 understands that British studio Sumo Digital is currently working on LittleBigPlanet 3.

Sony and Media Molecule apparently approached the developer to make the third main title in the build-and-play franchise, which has now been in the works for “well over a year”.

We were initially contacted in relation to an LBP petition, which aims to increase the level of moderation in the current games.

LittleBigPlanet has been referred to today as a “no-man’s land,” following a supposed increase in “death threats, hate speech, stalking, hacking and cyber-bullying.” The petition calls on LittleBigPlanet moderators to step up their involvement in the community to put an end to the abuse.

One source claimed that the lapse in moderation is related to Media Molecule turning its attention to Tearaway, with ongoing LittleBigPlanet development being outsourced to Sumo.

Another source confirmed that Sumo is, indeed, working on LittleBigPlanet 3. The game’s formats are unknown.

Sumo was responsible for LittleBigPlanet 2’s cross controller patch last year, which allowed Vita to be used to control the main game.

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LittleBigPlanet 3 would be the sixth game in the LittleBigPlanet series. An initial PS3 release in 2008 was followed by a PSP game in 2009, LBP2 in 2011, and LBP Vita and LBP Karting last year.

Sony has responded to the sources’ claims via email. A rep said, “We don’t comment on rumour and speculation.”