It has been a while since PlayStation had a mascot that resonated with people the way ASTRO does. While there have been plenty of major franchises under the PlayStation brand—such as God of War and The Last of Us—they may be ubiquitous in the world of gaming, but they don’t connect with audiences in the same way. For years, PlayStation has been on a quest to find its definitive mascot, a character that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Nintendo’s Mario or Microsoft’s Master Chief. With ASTRO, they may have found it.
Enter this charming little robot from Team ASOBI, who has swiftly risen to become the new face of PlayStation. Starting with humble beginnings, it’s now hard to think of PlayStation, especially the PS5, without ASTRO. Yet, this little robot’s rise to prominence wasn’t the result of a grand plan to create the ultimate love letter to PlayStation. Instead, it emerged from a studio dedicated to crafting new games and experiences, driven by a genuine passion for the medium.
Originally conceived as a tech demo for the PlayStation 4, ASTRO’s journey to becoming PlayStation’s mascot is a tale of innovation and nostalgia. First introduced in The Playroom, ASTRO was designed to showcase the capabilities of the PlayStation Camera and DualShock 4 controller. Despite its simple concept, ASTRO demonstrated staying power, serving as a great introduction to what the PS4 could do. The character even made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where Ice-T joined in, adding an extra level of ridiculous to the full story.
Following The Playroom, we were introduced to The Playroom VR, which brought ASTRO into the world of PSVR. ASTRO BOT Rescue Mission further explored the potential of the little bot, gradually making the character more well-known and undeniably lovable. However, it wasn’t until the release of ASTRO’s Playroom on the PlayStation 5 that ASTRO truly captured the hearts of players worldwide. This pre-installed game served as both a delightful platformer and a celebration of PlayStation’s rich history, featuring cameos from iconic characters and games from the past 25 years.
This meteoric rise has even surprised the developers at Team ASOBI. Creative director for ASTRO BOT, Nicolas Doucet, explained when asked about the studio’s reaction to the sudden excitement around ASTRO as a character: “It’s a really interesting question because I don’t think we fully realize it yet. When you say it’s iconic, we know there’s excitement about the new game. It seemed like when we announced it, people were hoping for something bigger after they played it. I think it’s because it happens organically. It’s the kind of thing you only realize once you look back.”
“ASTRO is more than just a cash grab, built for shallow means; it has been a peek at the evolution of modern PlayStation.”
The evolution of the character is, first and foremost, driven by the needs of the games being developed. While everything seemed to fall into place naturally, ASTRO was created by a studio focused on making the best games possible. As Nicolas Doucet explains, there was no grand plan—just a team dedicated to building fun and exciting experiences. “at the time, you don’t really know if it’s happening organically. But I think it’s comforting to believe that because it means our choices were driven by function and finding the right gameplay. I often talk about that—it’s more flexible compared to having a master vision that ASTRO has to fit.”
It all makes sense, especially considering how many publishers have tried to force a mascot character, even when almost none actually hit the way they are supposed to. ASTRO is more than just a cash grab, built for shallow means; it has been a peek at the evolution of modern PlayStation. It only makes sense to see ASTRO BOT take this idea and run with it, making the full world that these little robots exist in a love letter to all things PlayStation. ASTRO BOT builds on everything this character has been in up to this point, making full use of everything the PS5 has to offer and tapping into the love of countless franchises to make something completely unique.
ASTRO’s world is built with PlayStation in mind, celebrating the countless franchises that have made their mark on the platform. The character’s design adds another layer of excitement, allowing various franchises to seamlessly integrate into ASTRO’s universe thanks to its universal charm and ability to connect with both new and longtime PlayStation fans. ASTRO’s expressive blue LED eyes enable the character to convey a wide range of emotions, making it relatable and endearing. This emotional connection is crucial for a mascot, as it helps build a lasting bond with the audience.
“ASTRO BOT builds on everything this character has been in up to this point…”
ASTRO’s adventures celebrate PlayStation’s legacy. In ASTRO BOT, players embark on a nostalgic journey, encountering over 150 classic PlayStation characters, each lovingly recreated in ASTRO’s whimsical world. This blend of nostalgia and innovation makes ASTRO an ideal ambassador for PlayStation, bridging the gap between the console’s storied past and its exciting future.
When discussing the integration of other franchises into ASTRO BOT, Doucet highlighted the flexibility in bringing characters into ASTRO’s world as long as they fit within the franchise’s playful methodology:
“Yeah, there were very rare cases where a character didn’t qualify because their background story was too dark. It’s hard to put a funny twist on that. But most of the time, we could find a way. A lot of the characters that are heroes in PlayStation games, and even in third-party games, tend to have a heroic essence. They’re usually there for the greater good.
Even in Demon’s Souls, which is a dark game, you could argue that you’re not just trying to survive. So, it’s easier to extract a positive angle and make a joke out of it. There have been very few cases where we felt it was difficult for a parent to explain to their kid what kind of character that is.”
The PlayStation 3 found its family-friendly character in Sackboy, who, throughout the life of that console, became one of the faces of PlayStation, helping to expand the idea of the console beyond core gamers to a system anyone could enjoy. However, for whatever reason, Sackboy and LittleBigPlanet didn’t make the jump to the next generation of consoles. ASTRO feels different, and with the passion at Team ASOBI, it’s easy to see why. This is a team that loves gaming, loves creating, and has a passion for making the best games and experiences possible.
In today’s competitive gaming landscape, having a recognizable and beloved mascot is more important than ever, and ASTRO’s success couldn’t have come at a better time for Sony and the iconic PlayStation brand. ASTRO’s rise signals a shift in Sony’s mascot landscape, with the character leading the charge alongside a plethora of other iconic figures. Sony has one of the most storied franchises in the industry, and thanks to Team ASOBI’s passion, a new character is emerging as one not to miss. With so many beloved series under their belt, this is the perfect time for PlayStation to showcase what the console can offer everyone.
“…and ASTRO’s success couldn’t have come at a better time for Sony and the iconic PlayStation brand.”
The release of ASTRO BOT today, September 6, 2024, further cements ASTRO’s status as PlayStation’s mascot. This full-fledged game builds on ASTRO’s success, offering a blend of creativity and engaging gameplay that leverages the unique features of the DualSense controller. With the promise of galactic exploration, gigantic bosses, and rescue missions to save more than 150 VIP Bots based on classic PlayStation characters, the game has generated immense excitement among fans. Critics and fans have long asked for a full ASTRO release that can truly showcase what the little robot can do, and now that reality is here—and it’s fun.
With so much love for the character and seeing so many franchises finding their way into ASTRO BOT, I couldn’t help but wonder if Team ASOBI had plans to lend ASTRO out, giving fans more ways to experience him. Doucet was straightforward and made it clear that he was open to the idea, saying,
“Oh, we would be open to that. I mean, actually, there were some costumes in Fall Guys and things like that. We’re always open to those possibilities. It would just have to follow the same values we have. We’re quite careful about how ASTRO is used, not just in video games, but in general, even in goods. We have certain values and quality standards that need to be met, but we are very open. This game has really benefited from the openness of a lot of people.”
As ASTRO continues to gain popularity, we can only expect the character’s role as PlayStation’s mascot is likely to expand. The potential for ASTRO-themed merchandise, spin-off games, and even collaborations with other PlayStation franchises is immense. This opens up exciting possibilities for both Sony and its fans as ASTRO becomes a central figure in the PlayStation universe. And it makes sense why. This is a character and game built by a team that loves gaming and is given the chance to express that love in new and exciting ways.
“ASTRO’s ability to evoke nostalgia while introducing new and inventive gameplay mechanics is a testament to Team ASOBI’s creativity and passion for gaming.”
Even beyond being developed by a studio under the PlayStation umbrella, the amount of attention to the history of modern gaming brought to ASTRO BOT is staggering. Seeing some of the characters they’ve “ASTRO Botified” for this release filled me with joy, showcasing all the surprises they have in store. ASTRO’s ability to evoke nostalgia while introducing new and inventive gameplay mechanics is a testament to Team ASOBI’s creativity and passion for gaming. The studio’s dedication to capturing the magic of PlayStation’s history and translating it into a modern gaming experience is a major reason why fans are eagerly anticipating the release of ASTRO BOT.
Of course, as with anything, time will tell, but if the excitement at the studio and the buzz from journalists visiting from around the globe are any indication, people are thrilled about ASTRO BOT and can’t wait to experience more of this little robot. From a happy accident to one of this fall’s most anticipated releases, Team ASOBI has created something truly special. ASTRO’s rise to mascot status is a significant milestone for PlayStation. The character’s charm, relatability, and connection to PlayStation’s history make ASTRO the perfect ambassador for the brand. As fans eagerly await the release of ASTRO BOT, it’s clear that ASTRO’s adventures are just beginning, promising a bright and exciting future for PlayStation and its community.