Days Gone Director Roasts 'Small Game' Astro Bot PS5 for Deacon St John Cameo 1
Image: Push Square

In a rare instance of unity, gamers seem to unanimously agree that Astro Bot is extraordinary – but Days Gone director John Garvin disagrees. The outspoken ex-Bend Studio veteran has taken to X (or Twitter) to share his dissatisfaction with Deacon St John’s cameo in the PS5 exclusive platformer, noting “my character [has been] reduced to a cartoon shill promoting some small game”.

It all started when Bend Studio posted some Astro Bot-inspired artwork to celebrate the new title’s release – something which the various first-party teams will usually do when a fresh game launches. “Kinda sad that Deek has been reduced to promoting other games,” he complained. “Well done, Bend Studio! Way to protect your legacy!”

Garvin’s comments were quickly rebutted by fans, who noted that a large part of Astro Bot’s fun comes from its reverence for various PlayStation franchises, both new and old. But Garvin wasn’t having any of it, and even told one user to “sit down […] adults are talking”. It’s not the first time the former director has used social media to criticise his followers and former employers.

Days Gone Director Roasts 'Small Game' Astro Bot PS5 for Deacon St John Cameo 2
Image: Push Square

For what it’s worth, actor Sam Witwer, who played Deacon St John in the game, seemed thrilled by his Astro Bot alterego. “Gonna buy the game now,” he said when he saw the cameo.

Garvin left Bend Studio alongside fellow director Jeff Ross in 2020, after Sony decided to pass on the pitch for a Days Gone sequel. The pair have since been extremely vocal on social media about PlayStation and its decision not to greenlight a successor to the open world outing.

We actually interviewed Garvin in London as part of the Days Gone press tour, and we found him extremely likeable and passionate about his game. It’s a shame to see him acting so aggressively on social media – especially when Astro Bot is actually celebrating the Bend Studio release, a title which was largely loved by those who played it, including ourselves.

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