PlayStation Boosts Family Games After Astro Bot Success

Sony is set to expand its horizons in the family gaming genre, driven by the tremendous success of Astro Bot. Released in September 2024, Astro Bot has not only sold over 1.5 million copies but also clinched the coveted Game of the Year title at The Game Awards 2024. This achievement underscores its impact and popularity among gamers of all ages.

During Sony's Q3 Earnings Announcement on February 13, 2025, President, CEO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki elaborated on Astro Bot's success and outlined future plans. He praised the game for winning four categories at The Game Awards, including Game of the Year and Best Family Game. Totoki also celebrated the success of Helldivers 2, which took home Best Ongoing Game and Best Multiplayer Game. He emphasized how these wins align with Sony's strategic goal to broaden its gaming portfolio, particularly in family and live service genres. "The fact that titles in genres we are aiming to expand in the future, including titles for families and live service games, have received these awards is a major stride toward our building a broader title portfolio," Totoki stated.

Astro Bot Sold Over 1.5 Million Copies

PlayStation's history with family genre titles is rich, yet in recent years, the focus has shifted away from some beloved franchises. Titles like Sly Cooper, Ape Escape, and Jak and Daxter haven't seen new releases in over a decade. Meanwhile, classics such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon have moved to Xbox, leaving Ratchet & Clank and Little Big Planet as the mainstays in PlayStation's family gaming lineup, alongside the recent hit, Astro Bot.

In a December 2024 interview with Famitsu, PlayStation Studios CEO Hermen Hulst highlighted the significance of Astro Bot to Sony. "Astro is very, very important to PlayStation," Hulst remarked, praising the game's impact despite being developed by a small team. He added, "It’s remarkable that a very small team is able to deliver a game that is so big, it’s really become a great game in itself, and it’s become a celebration of everything PlayStation at this point."

Family Genre Titles Under PlayStation

Astro Bot's success has sparked interest in reviving other dormant IPs. The game itself featured numerous nods to PlayStation's legacy, reintroducing fans to beloved characters and worlds. Hulst emphasized the value of PlayStation's extensive IP portfolio, stating, "Our extensive IP portfolio is an important asset for PlayStation, and as part of our efforts to strengthen our portfolio, we continually explore opportunities to leverage our legacy IP as well as develop new franchises."

The recent trailer for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater hinted at the return of Ape Escape monkeys, a nod to the original game's Snake vs. Monkey mini-game. Similarly, Sly Cooper's re-release on PlayStation Plus’ Classics Catalog was met with enthusiasm, becoming one of the highest-rated games on the PlayStation Store. These developments suggest that PlayStation may be gearing up to bring back more of its classic family-friendly titles.

Possibility Of Legacy IPs Returning

Starting February 13, 2025, Astro Bot fans can look forward to new content. In a post on PlayStation.Blog, Team Asobi Studio Director Nicolas Doucet announced a free update featuring five new levels within the Vicious Void Galaxy. These levels, designed to challenge players' jumping skills, will be released weekly:

• February 13: Tick-Tock Shock
• February 20: Thrust or Bust
• February 27: Cock-A-Doodle-Doom
• March 6: Hard to Bear
• March 13: Armored Hardcore

Each level introduces a new Special Bot to rescue and includes a Time Attack mode for competitive play, with online rankings available. PS5 Pro players will enjoy the game at 60fps, enhancing the gaming experience further. These updates will be available every Thursday at 6:00 AM PT, 2:00 PM GMT, and 10:00 PM JST.

New Astro Bot Content Starting February 13, 2025

Astro Bot continues to be a beacon of success for PlayStation, encouraging the company to delve deeper into family-friendly gaming. As Sony explores its legacy IPs and introduces new content, fans can expect a richer, more diverse gaming experience on the PlayStation 5. For more information on Astro Bot, visit our dedicated page.