Amid Astro Bot hype, Psychonauts studio shoots down speculation that it's reviving dormant Xbox platformers like Crash or Banjo: "We want to make our games"
Sep. 10, 2024Double Fine is still, thankfully, working on its own ideas
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Astro Bot might be all the rage right now, but Psychonauts 2 developer Double Fine has reiterated that it still isn’t working on something related to corporate owner Xbox’s now-massive slate of dormant platformers.
For those not neck-deep in Astro Bot lore, the little guy was first assembled for free PS4 minigame marathon The Playroom, made by the now shut-down Japan Studios, and one of the DLC packs featuring a bobbly green alien came courtesy of Double Fine. A very similar-looking, UFO-riding green alien serves as the main antagonist of this year’s Astro Bot.
“Coincidence? I don’t believe in ‘em, Scully! But either way we’re always happy to see another game with a double jump,” the studio continues. “Congrats to Team Asobi on the fun times!”
If I were a snob I’d point out that Astro Bot doesn’t actually have a double jump, but people were excited at the prospect of more platformers regardless sinceAstro’s one of the most widely-loved games this year.
In the comments, one fan asks about the possibility of Double Fine reviving Banjo-Kazooie, the classic platformer that’s largely been dormant for almost 20 years. “No,” is the studio’s simple answer. Another fan instead tests their luck to ask about “Conker?” - the similarly great but dormant platformer about the worst hangover a bad-mouthed squirrel could ever have.
“No,” the studiosaysagain. “We want to make our games.” That’s a sentiment that studio founder Tim Schafer expressed around Psychonauts 2’s launch, and thankfully nothing’s changed for the team since. More recently, Double Fine also hinted that it was makingseveral oddball games that “could never be accepted at a publisher,“although a couple of developers left the door open for an eventual Psychonauts 3.
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For anyone still desperately hoping for the bird and bear’s comeback,Phil Spencerdid recently make some vague promises about reviving cult favorites:“Banjo fans, I hear you.“And despitethe cancellation of Crash Bandicoot 5(featuring Spyro), developerToys For Bob has also signed a deal to work on a new platformer with Xbox.
Need more platforming in your life ASAP? Check outhow to find all Astro Bot collectiblesand maximize the fun.
Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that’s vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he’ll soon forget.
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