Astro Bot And Other "Smaller" First-Party Games Will Launch On PS5 This Year, Says Insider

thegamer.com:

A reliable gaming insider has claimed that PlayStation plans to release a new Astro Bot game this year alongside several other "smaller" first-party titles.

PlayStation might have several big exclusives in the works right now (such as a new IP from Naughty Dog and a sequel to Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima), but it looks like 2024 isn't going to be the year that we get to play or even see them. Just a few months ago, Sony Group president Hiroki Totoki, confirmed that there are no plans "to release any new major existing franchise titles next fiscal year", which set a low bar for the PS5 in 2024.

Although PlayStation players have already had Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth as a timed PlayStation exclusive this year, that statement has made 2024 seem like a very dry time to own a PS5, something that could be said for the console's whole life span. While we might not be getting a new Spider-Man or Wolverine this year, PlayStation does reportedly have some smaller first-party games planned for release.

This report comes courtesy of trusted gaming insider and Giant Bomb reporter Jeff Grubb, who previously suggested that a new PlayStation Showcase or State of Play was going to be happening in May. In response to that rumour, Grubb appeared on Game Mess Mornings to discuss everything he's heard about the potential showcase and what it means for PlayStation this year.

During the episode, Grubb clarified that he thinks that it will be a full PlayStation Showcase instead of a State of Play and that he expects PlayStation to have a decent amount of games to show off, whether that be through third-parties like Square Enix or through some smaller first-party titles that aren't on the level of The Last of Us or God of War.

"I do keep hearing that there will be some smaller first-party games like that Astro game that is supposedly still happening this year. And I am very excited about that."

Grubb specifically says that he's heard about several "smaller first-party games"