Team Asobi might be working on what could potentially be the biggest surprise hit of the year, based on what the rumor mill is giving out.
While the gaming giant has made it clear that blockbuster franchises like God of War and Marvel’s Spider-Man won’t see new entries until after April 2025, there’s speculation about the return of the lesser-known but highly beloved cast of robot characters first introduced in The Playroom three years after delighting PlayStation 5 owners with Astro’s Playroom.
The source, Giant Bomb reporter Jeff Grubb, suggested that alongside confirmed releases like Rise of the Ronin and the live service game Concord, we might also see the launch of a new Astro Bot game within the current fiscal year.
Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb says that he’s heard that a new Astrobot game might be ready for this year
As someone who’s a huge fan of Astro’s Playroom I hope this happens. Team Asobi brings a much needed sense of variety to PlayStation Studios that it needs more than ever now pic.twitter.com/dcvBPHZsvF
— Radec (@realradec) February 14, 2024
The previously mentioned Astro Bot adventure, Astro’s Playroom, comes pre-loaded on every PS5 console, serving as both a standalone game and a tech demo designed to showcase the innovative features of the PS5’s DualSense controller. Though primarily a demonstration of the new hardware, Astro’s Playroom has been praised for its gameplay and creativity, and the way it celebrated PlayStation’s history. Following the success of Astro’s Playroom and its VR-only predecessor, Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, the anticipation for another Astro Bot title has only grown.
Team Asobi, the developer of the Astro Bot games, recently broke off from Japan Studio and transformed into a standalone studio in 2021 following a corporate restructuring. Since then, the Tokyo-based team has hinted at working on a “biggest to date” new 3D action game. A trademark from last year further fueled speculation about what the acclaimed developer could be crafting next.
A full-scale platformer that expands beyond the scope of a surprisingly robust tech demo or a VR-exclusive experience would be a natural evolution. An Astro Bot entry that honors and pays homage to PlayStation’s rich library of iconic characters and award-winning franchises in a manner that’s reminiscent of Astro’s Playroom, but on a grander scale, is an idea that’s been floating around for years.
Given Team Asobi’s track record of creating distinct experiences that push the boundaries of Sony’s hardware while delivering heartwarming and engaging platforming gameplay, the expectations for their next project are high.
Whether it will cater exclusively to the next generation of VR, offer a traditional platforming experience, or blend both remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the return of Astro Bot could be a significant and warmly welcomed addition to the PlayStation 5’s lineup, promising fun, innovation, and a heartfelt celebration of the PlayStation legacy.
