Astro's Playroom Devs Are 'Working On New 3D Action Game'
If you want some more adorable adventures, the developers behind the PlayStation 5 exclusive Astro's Playroom are apparently working on a brand new game. Following the success of Astro's Playroom as a free tech demo for the PS5's bells and whistles, Team Asobi is crafting its next title.
When the PlayStation 5 first released last November, Astro's Playroom was bundled with the next-gen console as what is effectively Sony's version of Wii Sports.
As a sequel to 2018's Astro Bot Rescue Mission for the PS4 VR headset, Astro's Playrooms pushed the boundaries of platformers and made the most of the new DualSense controller.
What is the new game from the Astro's Playroom developers?
According to Gaming Route, Team Asobi is currently staffing for its next project, which is described as being a "3D Action Game with humour". Shared on LinkedIn, Team Asobi is recruiting a Game Designer. The description is asking for someone with "work centred around Level Design".
The role includes making "a variety of levels for a 3D action game, each providing great tempo and creative situations". The ideal candidate will also have skills "generating gameplay ideas and supervising their implementation". Importantly, they must "bring creativity and humour to the game".
There's rumoured to be a long-awaited first look at God of War: Ragnarok and an update on Horizon Forbidden West as a Sony showcase on August 12, however, it's not expected that Team Asobi will announce its game then (if it's even going ahead).
What else do we know about the new game from the Astro's Playroom developers?
Unfortunately, that's all we have to go on when it comes to the new game from the Astro's Playroom developers. Whether it's something completely new or a return to the whimsical world of Astro Bot remains to be seen. While 3D platformers have come a long way from the days of Crash Bandicoot being a PlayStation exclusive, they're still incredibly popular.
Astro's Playroom was pre-installed on all PS5's and gave us some serious Mario Odyssey vibes. Even though Astro's Playroom was a free add-on that helped guide players through the various uses of the DualSense, it was a surprise hit that's led to talk of a possible sequel.
In a December interview with Edge Magazine (via VGC), Japan Studio boss Nicolas Doucet said, "At this moment in time, there’s no plan for an extension of Astro’s Playroom, but I think it’s going to come down to the popularity of the game. So far we’ve heard a lot from the media, and it’s been very positive, and we’re really, really happy. But a lot of it is going to come down to the consumer experience".
Of course, Sony Japan Studio no longer exists, with the remaining staff being moved over to Team Asobi. Whether Astro will be taking flight once more on the PS5, or we're destined for another imaginative platformer with DualSense's capabilities, Team Asobi is busy tinkering behind the scenes.
