As a long-time gamer with memories of countless hours spent exploring virtual worlds, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the third-person platformers of yesteryears. From Crash Bandicoot to Spyro the Dragon, these games were the backbone of my childhood gaming experiences.
On December 12, 2024, a notable evening unfolded within the gaming world. Geoff Keighley presided over his tenth annual Game Awards ceremony, garnering widespread acclaim online. Notably, this event has faced criticism in the past due to its emphasis on advertisements instead of the screen time that rightfully belongs to the game developers it aims to honor.
Previously, an unusual mishap occurred involving a teleprompter at the theater during last year’s event, which displayed a message urging award winners to “Wrap it Up.” This incident garnered attention for valid reasons. However, it appears that Keighley and The Game Awards have paid heed to viewer feedback from that show and made adjustments accordingly for this year’s event.
Regarding The Game Awards 2024, it was an engaging and thrilling experience from start to finish, packed with unexpected surprises. Highlights included the unveiling of Elden Ring Nightreign, a fresh cooperative take on FromSoftware’s souls-like gameplay style, reminiscent of their successful title It Takes Two, which won Game of the Year in 2021. Additionally, Hazelight Studio’s Split Fiction was revealed, offering an innovative cooperative experience with distinctive mechanics and diverse settings woven together within the narrative. In summary, for those eagerly anticipating exciting game reveals at The Game Awards, this year certainly delivered!
One unexpected aspects was that The Game Awards granted developers and award recipients extended speaking opportunities. For example, Swen Vincke, the Founder and CEO of Larian Studios, creators of Baldur’s Gate 3 (which won Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2023), delivered a thought-provoking speech about what truly captivates the gaming public. He also criticized industry shortcomings in a concise manner, as seen in a shared clip on X by @Rurikhan.
In 2024, Astro Bot developed by Team Asobi and Sony Interactive Entertainment shocked the gaming world by winning Game of the Year, even though it competed against heavyweights like Black Myth: Wukong, which sold an impressive 18 million copies in a single month and claimed the “Player’s Voice” award. This victory signifies that Astro Bot is another game that taps into the gaming industry’s roots to strike a chord with both critics and players, earning top honors. However, it also serves as a warning for Microsoft and Xbox, as they lack the essential element that Sony has been recognized for with its Astro Bot strategy.
The Missing Piece in the Variety Puzzle
As an analyst, I’d rephrase it as follows: In my analysis, Astro Bot is an ingeniously designed third-person platforming game that draws clear inspiration from Nintendo’s legendary Super Mario Brothers series. It may seem straightforward at first glance, but it skillfully integrates elements from various installments of the Super Mario franchise. The gameplay experience is reminiscent of both Super Mario 3D World and Sunshine, with a touch of Pikmin-like mechanics; you collect other Bots throughout different levels to accomplish objectives in the main world of the game, which serves as a hub.
These Bots can either be completely new, like Astro, or based on characters from other video game series. Some will be well-known, such as Kratos from God of War, Raiden from Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance, Crash and Aku Aku from Crash Bandicoot. On the other hand, others might not be so familiar, like the protagonist from Alundra (a game that wasn’t widely known in 1997) or Dart (from The Legend of Dragoon, which came out in 1999). Over time, these references create a nostalgic exhibit that honors PlayStation’s 30-year legacy within the gaming industry.
Astro Bot stands out with its unique flair and appealing character, prioritizing entertainment value… Unfortunately, Microsoft and Xbox seem to be missing this essential diversity in their respective lineups.
Although Sony Interactive Entertainment is known for developing third-person action-adventure games with a strong focus on realistic graphics and cinematic storytelling, the Game of the Year award winner stands out as unique. Astro Bot, in contrast, features its own distinctive style and appeal, prioritizing fun above all. This game caters to players of all ages, offering an enjoyable experience from beginning to end. What sets it apart is the versatility that Microsoft and Xbox seem to lack in their respective game collections.
As a tech enthusiast, I’m always excited about the unique offerings from Microsoft and Xbox, particularly niche games like Age of Empires, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Wasteland. With close to 40 game studios under their belt, each teeming with talented teams, it’s puzzling that we haven’t seen a big-budget third-person platformer announced recently. It’s even more intriguing when you consider the wealth of classic franchises they possess, just waiting to be revisited.
Pluck the Banjo, or Unfurl a Squirrelly Friend
On the 11th of June, 2019, Banjo and Kazooie were unveiled as combatants in Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This revelation was unexpected given that Rare, the developer, was bought by Microsoft in 2002, and the last Banjo-Kazooie game, Nuts n Bolts, came out in 2008 for Xbox 360. However, this announcement sparked joy among fans who fondly remembered Rare’s classic 3D platformer from the 64-bit era. The fact that an updated 3D model of the duo was introduced into Nintendo’s legendary fighting game series indicates that there are still people who hope for the continuation of this platforming series.
One potential way to rephrase the given text could be:
Banjo-Kazooie initially made an impressive debut, but it seemed to lose momentum after Nuts & Bolts. Despite this, the bear-bird duo continue to resonate with numerous fans. Conversely, Conker struggled at first with Pocket Tales, only to find a second wind with Bad Fur Day, which stands out as its most notable release. For Microsoft and Xbox, reviving either of these series presents an intriguing challenge.
As a die-hard tech enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a tinge of apprehension when it comes to the potential modernization of beloved classics like Banjo-Kazooie and Conker. Nostalgic fans might find themselves questioning the fresh approach taken with these games, while Conker supporters could feel let down if the new versions shy away from the edgy content that made the more notable releases so memorable to them.
If Microsoft and Xbox aim to replicate the enchantment found in Astro Bot, there’s a specific series they might focus on, given that they bought Double Fine in 2019.
Time to Gamble Like a Psycho Nut
As a researcher delving into the realm of gaming, I had the pleasure of experiencing Psychonauts 2 in 2021 – a title initially slated for release in 2019 and 2020 but was postponed to allow Double Fine Productions to incorporate content previously unattainable due to their acquisition. This included some epic boss battles that truly elevated the gameplay experience.
It’s evident that Microsoft and Xbox can create top-notch third-person platformers under the right circumstances and with adequate time for development. At present, Double Fine is developing new, undisclosed projects. It’s possible that these could draw attention, much like Astro Bot did when it won Game of the Year at The Game Awards.
Should other options prove unsuccessful, Microsoft and Xbox may find success in recapturing the enchanting nostalgia of Astro Bot, thanks to a fresh collaboration with Toys for Bob. Notably, Toys for Bob is renowned for their recent work on the latest Crash Bandicoot release and the remastered Spyro the Dragon trilogy. It’s worth mentioning that both Crash and Spyro appear in Astro Bot as they were initially developed by PlayStation’s iconic studios, Naughty Dog and Insomniac, during the late 90s.
After being sold to Activision when the two studios diverged in direction, Naughty Dog concentrated on developing the cinematic third-person action-adventure Uncharted games and The Last of Us. On the other hand, Insomniac is now working on fresh installments of their highly acclaimed Spider-Man series, with potential Wolverine games in the pipeline.
In 2020, Crash had a fresh game titled “It’s About Time”, whereas Spyro last appeared in a new game way back in 2008 (disregarding the remastered Spyro trilogy from 2019). If Microsoft and Xbox are considering developing a new third-person platformer for all ages, they could fly high with a sequel that continues the original trilogy’s narrative or kick off fresh adventures by rebooting the series.
Or Just Copy Astro Bot
Microsoft and Xbox possess numerous IPs that are well-suited to cater to the “all-ages” market gap in their extensive library. By introducing either Crash Bandicoot or Spyro, they could ignite a fresh chapter, captivating fans eager for a new installment. The same applies to followers of Banjo-Kazooie and Conker. Alternatively, Double Fine could emerge as their lead platformer development studio. However, introducing original IPs can be risky, but it’s also an opportunity for innovation and success.
Since Astro Bot is a fresh series that debuted in 2013’s The Playroom, it draws on many existing characters to evoke various emotions. Given Microsoft and Xbox’s extensive library of IPs, they could introduce a new character mascot for their next console and create a lively third-person platforming game. This new character could have elements reminiscent of Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, Raz, or others. For instance, an Astro Bot-style version of Master Chief from Halo or Tracer from Overwatch could be created. These characters could bring a unique sense of delight as levels are designed around classic games from the original Xbox, 360, and Xbox One.
For Microsoft and Xbox, taking on such a comprehensive project might be quite challenging, but it could potentially yield significant rewards. After all, Astro Bot doesn’t merely allude to PlayStation characters as an afterthought; instead, it serves as a tribute to PlayStation’s entire 30-year legacy. In the coming years, Xbox will have been around for 25 years too. Mightn’t it be worthwhile to express your pride in the games that have shaped your history in a similar manner?
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2024-12-21 18:39