From AR Little Man to PS5 Star

If you like a cute little robot, that was born in the corner of your DualShock 4 and has been conquering space, then stick around for the story of Astro Bot is one of those that will make even the toughest guy get emotional. Our dear Astro is about to embark on a new adventure on the PS5, and, man, let me tell you, his evolution is like watching that kid from your street who played marbles become the star of the school team. Are you ready to take a ride on this journey?

It all started there at The Playroom, that little augmented reality game that came in the PS4 package. The Asobi Team I was there, just chilling, experimenting with how to connect the DualShock 4 controller to the console's camera, and suddenly, the idea came to me: “What if we put some cute little robots to interact in the room?” And so, what would later become the Astro Bot. But, in the beginning, he was just a cylinder with eyes, a little AR (Augmented Reality) man that we could move around on the living room floor. And we could already see that there was something special there.

The person who pulled this tram was Nicolas Doucet, studio director of Team Asobi. He says that at the time, the goal was to create something simple but charismatic. They didn't have much time, just five months to get the demo live, so they gave the robots a sci-fi look that resembled Sony products. The final touch was the way they walked, like babies who are still learning to walk. That's how the concept of robot babies was born. Cute, right? Well, it's just that things have evolved.

When virtual reality came onto the scene, AR Bots have evolved into something more. The need for a central character to control in the VR platformer prototype brought the Captain Astro. Yes, my friend, before being the Astro Bothe was called that internally. They put the classic blue PlayStation in his design and equipped him with the ability to float. His hands were modified so he could pick things up, and voila, the recipe for success was made.

But it was only in 2018 that Astro Bot got its official name, and with it came stardom. The game Astro Bot Rescue Mission for PS VR was where he really shined. And man, if you've played it, you know what I'm talking about. Astro's immersive gameplay, clever design and charisma won everyone over. The character, who started out as a simple prototype, was now the star of one of the best VR games ever made. And it was in this vein that Astro Bot became one of PlayStation's mascots.

The thing is, Astro Bot isn't just cute, He’s technically incredible. To make sure he’s ready for his solo adventure, the team put a lot of work into his design. Astro is compact, with a low center of gravity, which makes him perfect for a platformer. But the details are what really impress. His blue LED eyes, for example, aren’t just cute – they express a variety of emotions and are essential for interacting with the game’s VIP Bots.

And there's more: THE Star has a jetpack, which were originally little wings that came out of his back. They wanted there to be a logic behind the functions, so they created this backpack that allows him to float in style. And that chrome head that shines and reflects the game's environments? Very fine detail! During your adventures, you'll see the game's forests, oceans, and even skies subtly reflected on Astro's head. It's as if he were a small window into the world around him.

Now, I'm going to tell you something interesting: Astro's voice, that cute little robotic voice, was not a random choice. It was something designed to be universal, mixing sounds that any child, anywhere in the world, could understand. It's a combination of English, Japanese and some onomatopoeias that make Astro a true polyglot, even though he doesn't actually speak a word.

And with the arrival of the PS5, Astro Bot and its universe have expanded even further. Astro's Playroomwhich came pre-installed on the PS5, is basically a love letter to PlayStation and its legacy. And not only that, but it also features a glorified tutorial that shows off what the DualSense is capable of. And boy, is that a tutorial! If you've played it, you'll know that the feeling of holding the controller while Astro walks across different surfaces is simply magical.

On PS5, Astro's world has come to life with 4K graphics, more details, more creatures and stunning visual fidelity. And not only that, but the presence of beloved PlayStation characters – such as Kratos, Aloy, and Nathan Drake – in robotic versions, shows the care that Team Asobi took in integrating these tributes without losing the charm and personality of Astro Bot.

So, if you're looking forward to Astro's new adventure, You can rest assured, because the game arrives on September 6th and promises to be another one of those unmissable experiences. Astro Bot It may have started small, but today it's big, representing the best in character design and gameplay on PlayStation.

Franchise Summary: Astro Bot started as an experimental project on PS4, but thanks to the dedication of Asobi Teamhas become one of PlayStation’s most iconic characters. From his humble beginnings as an AR Bot to his adventures in VR and on PS5, Astro Bot represents the pinnacle of clever design and innovative gameplay. With the new game coming soon, he’s ready to win even more hearts and continue to shine in the gaming world.