In a recent interview, PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst dropped hints about the future of one of Sony’s most beloved mascots: Astro Bot. The diminutive robot, who first captured hearts as a pre-installed game on the PlayStation VR, may be gearing up for a much bigger role after basically running away with this year’s Game of the Year award following its release.
Hulst’s comments, made during the Official PlayStation Podcast ahead of the official PS5 Pro reveal, suggest that Astro Bot isn’t just a cute character designed to show off the PS5’s capabilities – he’s a cornerstone of PlayStation’s plans to diversify its game offerings and appeal to a broader audience.
“Astro is very, very important to PlayStation,” Hulst shared. This declaration has left many wondering just how far Sony plans to take the charming robot. Hulst went on to praise the success of Astro’s Playroom, the game that came pre-installed on every PS5 console. “It’s remarkable that a very small team is able to deliver a game that is so big, it’s really become a great game in itself, and it’s become a celebration of everything PlayStation at this point.”
But it’s not just Astro’s past success that has people talking. It’s the potential future that Hulst hinted at that has really got gamers excited. The PlayStation boss made it clear that it’s important for Sony to develop games across different kinds of genres, with a particular focus on the family market. This statement, combined with recent comments from Astro Bot director Nicolas Doucet about wanting to try something new while sticking with the Astro IP, all but confirms Sony’s bigger plans for the plucky robot.
An intriguing possibility is to basically follow the same blueprint as Mario, which is understandable given the comparisons between these two. Can you imagine if the developers made an Astro Bot kart racing game complete with the same kind of haptic feedback as Astro Bot? Although it wouldn’t be the first attempt to rival the immensely popular Mario Kart series—the sub-franchise has sold over 180 million copies so far—it could be the first to actually have a fighting chance. The concept of Astro and other PlayStation characters racing around tracks inspired by Sony’s vast library of games is too good to ignore.
Imagine zooming through a track based on God of War’s Norse realms, with Astro dressed as Kratos, hurling his Leviathan Axe at opponents. Or picture a course set in the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us, where racers have to dodge Clickers while jockeying for position. The possibilities are endless, and the potential for fan service is enormous.
But a kart racer isn’t the only possibility. Astro could even star in a Super Smash Bros-style fighting game featuring bot versions of iconic PlayStation characters. The idea of Astro squaring off against the likes of Aloy from Horizon, Nathan Drake from Uncharted, and the Hunter from Bloodborne is exciting.
These ideas, while mere speculation for now, align perfectly with Hulst’s stated goal of expanding PlayStation’s genre offerings. A family-friendly kart racer or fighting game would be a significant departure from the company’s recent focus on big-budget, third-person action titles with photorealistic graphics. It would also help Sony tap into a market that has traditionally been Nintendo’s stronghold, which it could further eat into given the ongoing success of the PlayStation Portal nearly a year into its release.
Of course, it’s important to note that nothing is official yet. However, the enthusiasm proves there’s appetite for more Astro Bot content. Moreover, the game’s success is evidence that there’s a chance for charming, family-friendly games on PlayStation platforms despite what the sales numbers of Sackboy: A Big Adventure and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (at least on PC) would tell you. It’s also shown that Astro Bot is no longer just a tech demo mascot. The character has genuine appeal, and Sony would be wise to capitalize on that.
Expanding the Astro Bot franchise could be a smart move for Sony in terms of brand identity. While PlayStation has many beloved exclusive franchises, it lacks a mascot character with the universal appeal of a Mario or Sonic. Astro Bot, with his cute design and connection to PlayStation history, could potentially fill that role.
As we wait for more concrete news about Astro’s future, one thing is clear: the little robot has captured the imagination of PlayStation fans and executives alike.
Whether he ends up starring in a kart racer, a fighting game, or something entirely different, it seems likely that we haven’t seen the last of Astro Bot.
