I’m sad to report that when I worked on Black & White 2’s expansion I was never offered a weed-laced chilli con carne
Developers at Lionhead Studios reportedly engaged in marijuana use during the creation of Black & White 2, the acclaimed god simulation game, according to recent revelations from studio founder Peter Molyneux and other team members in an anniversary retrospective.
Molyneux suggested that cannabis use contributed positively to the creative process, stating “If there’s any stimulant that aids creativity, it’s weed.” However, the developers interviewed emphasized that marijuana use was not universal across the entire team.
Mark Healey, who later co-founded Media Molecule, described the informal practice occurring after the official 6 PM end of the workday. He explained that developers without family obligations would remain at the office while team members with families departed, continuing work and socializing with marijuana use.
The account provides a glimpse into Lionhead Studios’ working culture during the development of Black & White 2, offering insight into the creative practices and informal social dynamics that characterized the studio during one of its most notable projects. The revelation emerged as part of a nostalgic retrospective examining the game’s development history.