Unveiling the Creation of Astro Bot

During the recent Summer Games Fest, numerous journalists praised Astro Bot, a 3D platformer and the sequel to Astro's Playroom, a game bundled with every PS5 that showcases the capabilities of the DualSense controller. The success of Astro's Playroom led Sony to invest in the developer, Team Asobi, which is now building a full-fledged follow-up, set to launch in September. Team Asobi operates with a core team working on Astro Bot and a smaller group prototyping new ideas outside of the game. According to studio and creative director Nicolas Doucet, this approach allows the team to stay focused and avoid restrictions. As of 2022, Asobi had around 60 employees, with Doucet expecting it to grow to 100. However, they've only added a handful more in the two years since. The team maintains a tight-knit structure, with everyone familiar with the game, which helps to keep the development process efficient. Asobi's development process involves regular meetings where team members showcase their work, receive feedback, and make decisions on what to do next. This approach helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the game stays on track. The team also archives all ideas that don't make it into the game, which helps to prevent reinventing the wheel and forgetting great ideas. The game features over 150 characters, including Astro versions of Kratos, Drake, and Aloy, which are collectible and have unique reactions. The team has gone to great lengths to ensure that these characters are respectful and humorous, and the other PlayStation studios have been receptive to this approach. Astro Bot also makes use of the DualSense controller's features, such as the adaptive trigger and haptics, to create a unique gaming experience. The team has scaled back on some features, like the touchpad, to create a more seamless experience. Overall, Astro Bot is a game that is distinctly PlayStation, with its use of the DualSense controller and its inclusion of PlayStation iconography and characters.