
Sony somehow managed to panic the entire PS5 fanbase this week, when it said it won’t release any entries in its “major existing franchises” this year. The wording was always imperative here, however: it appeared to be alluding to tentpole series like Marvel’s Spider-Man and God of War, thus meaning it’ll rely on smaller franchises and new intellectual property instead.
And according to journalist Jeff Grubb, speaking as part of Giant Bomb’s daily Game Mess Mornings, a new Astro Bot outing is planned for later this year. “There might be new entries in game franchises that already exist,” he explained. “But they just might not be major in PlayStation’s eyes when they’re talking to investors. I’ve heard maybe Astro does happen this year. So that’s pretty big for me, but I get why Sony’s thinking that’s not a major one for us.”
We know developer Team ASOBI has been beavering away on something new ever since the PS5 launched alongside the excellent Astro’s Playroom, so it’s no surprise it may have something new cooking for later this year. It’ll be interesting to see whether a new title takes advantage of PSVR2, like the astonishing Astro Bot Rescue Mission – or if the developer’s decided to make a more traditional experience that doesn’t rely on virtual reality.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 45
Ooooh, I do hope we get another Astro game, but please oh please make it in line with the PS5 Dualsense demo rather than VR. The last game is one of my favorites of this generation, even with its brevity.
Also, I’m totally fine with a smaller set of first party titles, by the way. That’s part of what made me a fan of Sony: the eccentric games. Give me Flower over God of War any day!
If they drop a non-VR Astro game that even comes close to how good Astro's Playroom was, I'm there on day one. I still think Playroom is the best PlayStation game released this generation, so I've been eagerly waiting to see what Team Asobi do next.
I really hope so, Astros playroom was great. Just bought a used psvr to play rescue mission and am having a blast. Sony has something special here.
I'm of the opinion that Astro Bot could be PlayStation's Super Mario if Sony wasn't stuck in their ways of making the same third person action adventure game. Hopefully Astro changes that
Should have separate, substantial modes for flat and VR2
@NathanKang You mean the games that make a lot of money?
If this isn't at least VR 2 compatible the PSVR2 is truly dead...if it isn't already.
I really hope it's not a VR thing so it can actually get some good sales.
Playroom was a joy to go through. They should go with more of that.
But just in another article: there would be no release for the current franchises by Mar 2025
You all know it’s going to be 2025 when it releases.
@2here2there Seems you didn't read the first paragraph
I hope so PSVR2 need some. London are busy with a non VR project so Astro games are welcomed.
Still sad no Insomniac VR game but they are so busy. Just sucks as their VR games are pretty cool on Occulus.
Any other VR expertise would be nice to see.
Even if third party Indies (hit and miss) or others (sigh climbing or over engineering motion controls) have done fair with it just nothing big but fair games because western third parties want all games to be a success even with Meta's userbase.
Ubisoft Zombi U didn't sell, complain and rework/delay Rayman, they are different audiences but who cares all games must sell.
We aren't getting Red Steel 2 VR or something else.
AC Nexus VR. 10+ years later complaining for sales there.
Others doing experiments on PSVR1 and moving on.
Let alone if Skull and Bones does after being delayed a lot and expensive. Yet Last Guardian and GT5 took their time too. Duke Forever.
@2here2there Read the articles haha! They said no "major" franchise. To investors, major franchises are ones like Spider-Man, God of War, and Gran Turismo.
That doesn't mean we can't all love Astro Bot here!
@BusyOlf
Even if it is 2025, Sony has plenty coming to it with 3rd party exclusives and two of Xbox’s top five rated games this gen. Solid year.
I'd love it to be true, I'd be way more excited for a new Astro Bot game then any of their supposedly "major" franchises.
Astro Bot Rescue mission is still my favourite VR game and Astro's Playroom is still my favourite PS5 exclusive
The biggest question mark here is VR. If Asobi doesn't support PSVR 2, then who? On the other hand, a lot of people will be disappointed if it's VR only.
I'm going to guess this will be playable both with and without VR in its entirety, to appease both sides. That would've made it a headache to design, but if anyone can do it, it's surely this studio.
@AdamNovice Considering Astro Bot will be a lot cheaper to produce, it also doesn't have to sell millions to reach the same level of profit as a GOW or Uncharted.
I hope its both VR2 and Flat Screen. As huge Platformers fan since early days arcade and Mario, Astro bots: Rescue Mission is in my top five of all time. Maybe top three and thats saying something.
Everybody's Golf
Spider-Man IP - Ten hours long at least
Aliens IP
Killzone remaster
Astro bots: Rescue Mission 2
Everybody's Tennis
This is actually what I expect for VR2 over next year and hoping for VR2.
God I hope so, playroom is still one of my favourite games this gen!!
Mystic Ryan has said this two weeks ago as well and the dude is usually very reserved when it comes to leaking stuff.
@BorntobeGeek75
I wouldn't get your hopes up about the everybodys games. I dont think things are great between Sony and Clap Hanz seeing Easy Come Easy Golf isnt on Sony systems yet!
It does seem Sony dosent even know what its fans want if they think Astro is not an established or Major IP. Basically Astro Bot carried the PS5 in the early days everyone was talking how great the haptics and everything was. With the Haptics i dont think any other game has come close to Astro Bot.
This would be a very welcome addition to the PS5 catalog indeed.
I hope its a PSVR2+PCVR game. Astro Bot Rescue Mission is still one of the best VR games and platformers I've ever played.
@bindiana Wow I didn't realise that. That's a shame because Everybody IPs suit VR. And yet still develop for Flat Screen.
And absolutely true, Sony are out of touch if they don't believe Astro bots is valuable IP. But to be honest, number companies are out of touch with that specific fan base. ✌️
@bindiana Astro's Playroom most certainly did not "carry" the PS5 at launch, and it definitely isn't a major IP. Sure, everyone was praising it and rightly so, but it also came included with every console. You overestimate fans beyond the core audience. It's not the sort of game that the mainstream will go out and buy a console for.
@Ainu20
Thank you for letting me know my opinion is wrong and yours is right. I would be interested to know what game you thought in the first 3 months got PS5 the most attention in the gaming press.
@bindiana Don't take it so personally, I simply disagreed with you.
If you would've said that it was one of the most appreciated games of the early days, I would've agreed with you. But carrying the PS5, you have to admit that was worded way too extreme.
I would argue the early days were mostly about people wanting to get the best version of cross-gen games. That's probably even the case in the not-so-early-anymore days, as cross-gen went on for waaaay too long.
@somnambulance Flower is great but saying that over GOW should warrant some intense interrogation
Anyone else now have the Astrobot theme music in their head after reading this article? I hope it’s true btw.
Following on from my last post, go listen to Follow Me (into the storm) from Astro's Playroom on Spotify, then immediately listen to Starlight by Muse. You are welcome.
Astrobot is definitely one of the biggest gems of this whole PS5 console generation. A full-sized game would be fantastic and I would drop good money for that.
I loved Astro with my daughter.. please make it 2 player co-op.. like couch co op. That will be really fun.
@Professor_Niggle I’m just really not all that huge on GoW, personally. It’s a solid action blockbuster game and I don’t really have anything to complain about with it, but Flower hit me harder when I played it that first time. There was nothing else like it when I played it. I was honestly floored. It was so unique and interesting to me as a concept. The refreshing style of games Sony can provide is what has drawn me to the platform rather than the AAA blockbusters. Yes, I play the blockbusters, but I’m much more vocal about my support for the smaller projects.
@somnambulance makes perfect sense when you put it like that. I think that's what drew a lot of people I play with (including myself) to PS2 & PS3
FINALLY. I'll take even just a rumor. Sony...I know you despise the PSVR2 but please port Rescue Mission at least. A new one would be too much to hope for but please just port the original!
A big Astrobot game would be HUGE for me! Please make it real
Its about time!! Hopefully on PSVR 2. The only reason I really bought one to be honest. Its criminal they just haven't remaster rescue mission for VR2 for now.
I bet it will be a hybrid, kinda like Humanity.
A fully fledged VR exclusive would be awesome, but it's probably not financially feasible at the moment.
It's sad how bad people's reading comprehension is now.
Astro Playroom was one of the best games of this generation. I would be very happy to see more Astrobot coming.
This has got to be VR!!! How good was the original on PSVR1. One of the best VR games ever made, and so by definition miles better than any flat screen Astrobot would be.
If it is VR, I will pass, but if it is a regular game, oh...day one for me.
Astrobot PSVR1 was properly revolutionary, Astrobot PS5 was just a good little game. The sequel absolutely has to be another revolutionary PSVR2 headset. It needs to be a system seller.
Please make the new Astrobot will not be based on VR but will support VR, what I mean is that those who don't own VR can play the game and won't have to buy VR to play like Astrobot Rescue Mission 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
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