Xbox Could Benefit by Taking Inspiration from Astro Bot to Enhance Its Platformer Games

On the evening of December 12, 2024, the gaming community came together to celebrate a monumental night in the industry. Geoff Keighley marked his 10th year hosting The Game Awards, and the response from the online gaming community was overwhelmingly positive. Historically criticized for its heavy focus on advertisements, often at the expense of showing recognition to game developers, this year’s show turned things around.

Last year’s event famously had a teleprompter mishap, with the words “Please Wrap it Up” glaringly displayed during acceptance speeches. This stirred quite a buzz online. Fortunately, it seems that Keighley and his team took that feedback seriously and made some meaningful adjustments this year.

From the get-go, The Game Awards 2024 was a pleasant surprise. The event dazzled audiences with thrilling reveals, including Elden Ring Nightreign, an exciting new cooperative roguelike venture by FromSoftware, known for its souls-like gameplay style. There was also Hazelight Studio’s Split Fiction, a fresh cooperative game offering a mix of diverse settings and inventive mechanics, similar in spirit to their previous hit, It Takes Two, which snagged the Game of the Year award back in 2021. If you tuned in hoping for jaw-dropping announcements, the show delivered in spades.

Among the biggest surprises this year was the extensive time given to developers and award winners to express themselves. For example, Swen Vincke, the Founder and CEO of Larian Studios—the minds behind Baldur’s Gate 3, a Game of the Year winner in 2023—delivered a heartfelt speech on the essence of making games that resonate deeply with players. His address captured the audience, adding a personal touch to the industry’s dynamic landscape, and was widely shared on social media.

Another major highlight was the unexpected victory of Team Asobi and Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Astro Bot as the Game of the Year 2024. This accolade came even as the title contended with heavy hitters like Black Myth: Wukong, a game that sold an astounding 18 million copies in its first month and was adored by fans. Astro Bot’s success underscores the power of intuitive design and connectivity to critics and players, serving as a wake-up call for Microsoft and Xbox, who have yet to achieve a similar balance in their game portfolio.

Astro Bot is a masterfully designed platformer taking cues from Nintendo’s Super Mario series. Its simple yet engaging design makes it accessible and appealing, reminiscent of Mario’s adventures with the added twist of collecting Bots, akin to Pikmin’s gameplay dynamics. These Bots come designed after classic and obscure PlayStation characters, creating a nostalgic journey through gaming history.

The missing variety in Microsoft’s offerings becomes apparent when you consider their collection of studios and intellectual properties. Despite housing around 40 game studios, none have ventured into developing a big-budget third-person platformer recently. The success of Astro Bot shows that players still seek these kinds of experiences.

Microsoft has some potential treasures in their chest, like Banjo-Kazooie and Conker, both of which have strong nostalgic ties to fans. Banjo-Kazooie could bring back its lighthearted charm with a fresh update, while Conker could take a chance on a more adult-themed comeback. The latter, originally known for its mature humor, could align with modern audiences or veer back to its family-friendly roots seen in initial titles.

Psychonauts 2 is another testament to Microsoft’s capability in this genre, proving high-quality platformers are within reach. With Double Fine’s acquisition by Xbox in 2019, their potential to develop standout platformers is undeniable.

Moreover, the partnership with Toys for Bob opens up avenues for reviving classics like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon. Both series have deep-rooted ties to PlayStation but are now under a banner that could bring them back to life in new ways.

Microsoft and Xbox have a chance to tap into their rich tapestry of IPs to craft games that offer fun for all ages. They could reimagine existing franchises or embark on creating brand new ones that celebrate their gaming history.

In the end, while new IPs involve risks, the nostalgic pull and creative possibilities are worth exploring. By embracing their iconic characters in innovative platforms, Microsoft and Xbox have the potential to not only honor their legacy but also capture the hearts of a new generation of gamers.