Team Asobi has finally explained the lack of Square Enix characters in Astro Bot PS5, and it’s a response that we somewhat expected. Studio lead Nicolas Doucet didn’t outright say it, but his answer to a direct question posed by Game File’s Stephen Totilo all but confirms that Square Enix wasn’t on board with the idea.
Did Square Enix decline to partake in Astro Bot PS5?
When it comes to third-party cameos, Doucet said that “almost 100%” of the partners Sony contacted were happy to take part in the project. Doucet himself seemed surprised by the positive response from partners because he had assumed that only half of the cameos Team Asobi was wishing for would happen.
“In the end, in fact, almost 100% are in, because these partners just raised their hand and said, ‘Absolutely,’” Doucet told Game File, who then quizzed him about the glaring absence of Square Enix characters, especially from franchises that have a significant history on PlayStation.
“It’s difficult to comment,” Doucet replied. “We really respect the choice of each publisher.” The latter part of this statement is being interpreted as Square Enix declining the offer. Some folks have gone as far as making the assumption that the publisher wanted a pretty penny for the cameos.
Whatever the case, it doesn’t make Square Enix snubbing Astro Bot any less surprising.
