Hes as surprised as we are (Sony)Although it may not have been the biggest sales success Sonys ever had, Astro Bots prestige has pleased the company enough to pursue making similar games.When looking at first party PlayStation 5 exclusives from Sonys own gaming studios, the company only launched two new ones, that werent remasters or remakes, in 2024: Astro Bot and Concord.The former was certainly the more successful of the two (with Concords failure killing its developer), selling 1.5 million units in its first nine weeks. Thats not an insignificant amount but its not blockbuster numbers, when compared to previous first party releases on both PlayStation 4 and 5.Yet the prestige Astro Bot has received appears to have convinced Sony that it needs to take another page out of Nintendos book, and start making more family-oriented games.Speaking in a recent earnings call, Sony president Hiroki Totoki highlighted Astro Bots multiple award wins last year, which included the coveted Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2024.At The Game Awards 2024, our first party title Astro Bot won four categories, including Game of the Year and Best Family Game the most of any title, said Totoki.He also referenced how Helldivers 2 took home the awards for Best Ongoing Game and Best Multiplayer Game, adding, The fact that titles in genres we are planning to expand in the future, including titles for families and live service games, have received these awards is a major stride towards building a broad title portfolio.How many awards has Astro Bot won?Altogether, Astro Bot holds a collective 22 awards. It took home four awards at The Game Awards 2024: Game of the Year, Best Family Game, Best Game Direction, and Best Action / Adventure Game.Before that, it won Best Audio Design at The Golden Joystick Awards, with developer Team Asobi winning Studio of the Year.As for other awards shows, Astro Bot also won:Three awards at the Equinox Latam Game Awards, including Best Family GameGame of the Year at the Titanium AwardsThree awards at the Grand Game Awards, including Best Family GameThree awards at the New York Game Awards, including Game of the YearSix awards at the Algeria Game Awards, including Game of the Year and Best Family GameAstro Bot stands to win even more, having received multiple nominations at this years D.I.C.E. Awards, the Game Audio Network Guild Awards, and the Game Developers Choice Awards.Totoki didnt seem to mention anything about Astro Bots sales performance, but it doesnt appear Sony is disappointed.This makes sense, though, as the game was handled by a smaller team and presumably had a smaller budget. So, Sony wouldnt have expected it to bring in blockbuster numbers like 2023s Spider-Man 2 or 2022s God Of War Ragnark.Totokis phrasing suggests Sony already intended to double down on more family games like Astro Bot, even before all the awards came rolling in; those just validated its decision.While we certainly wouldnt say no to more Astro Bot-esque games from Sony, you have to question why its only now decided to pursue the family market.Nintendo has found tremendous success doing so, thanks to its many Super Mario games, particularly multiplayer titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree and, of course, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.More TrendingSonys live service games are multiplayer too, but the likes of Concord and the upcoming Fairgame$ are very much geared towards older gamers and do nothing to appeal themselves to kid.This seems all the stranger given Fortnite, the most successful live service game and the one all publishers are always trying to copy, is quite well suited for families, thanks to its cartoony aesthetic and its less serious setting and attitude.Weve heard plenty of stories of parents enjoying Fortnite alongside their children and we cant imagine something like Fairgame$, with its edgier visual style, will offer the same family appeal.Sony did used to make a lot more family friendly games, back in earlier generations, and its not clear why they and, most other third party publishers, stopped. But it seems Astro Bot has convinced them to widen their focus again. What next? Astro Kart? Astro Party? (Sony)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy