Team Asobi has officially begun laying the groundwork for its next major venture. A new job posting has emerged online, indicating the studio is actively searching for a skilled 3D Environment Artist to join their creative team.
The successful candidate will report to the Lead 3D Environment Artist and will be required to work on-site at the studio’s Tokyo headquarters for at least the first six months. The listing highlights the creation of “visually stunning environments for our upcoming game,” which has sparked rumors that the team is either developing a new Astro Bot installment or a project that shares its whimsical art style.
Furthermore, the studio is on the hunt for a Gameplay Programmer at the mid-to-senior level. This role involves engineering “sophisticated and engaging physics-based gameplay mechanics.” Interestingly, the description encourages applicants to “infuse their own design sensibilities, creativity, and humor” into the game’s core interactions, suggesting a focus on personality-driven gameplay.
While neither Sony nor Team Asobi have formally unveiled the project, the timing is logical. Following the 2024 release of Astro Bot, it appears the studio has successfully transitioned into the pre-production phase of their next title.
PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst has previously characterized the series as a “blossoming intellectual property.” Meanwhile, Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki recently celebrated the massive critical success of Astro Bot, noting its four wins at The Game Awards 2024, which included the prestigious Game of the Year and Best Family Game accolades.
Source: iXBT.games