Game News: Astro, PSVR2, GameFest, Avalanche

Astro Bot
Sony has confirmed its upcoming single-player only “Astro Bot” platformer is a “standalone, full-sized adventure” that’s far more significant than the free “Astro’s Playroom” that came with the PS5. The recent reveal trailer has been universally praised.

In fact, it offers “over four times more worlds, 300 bots to rescue and dozens of new powers and features” – the action spread over 80 levels across six galaxies. There are also “no in-game purchases or microtransactions”. The title, which won’t get a PS4 or PSVR2 release, is set for release on September 6th. [Source: Sony]

PSVR2
Sony has announced its PC adapter for PlayStation VR2 which will release on August 7th for $59.99. The PC version will be a heavily compromised experience – no HDR, no headset feedback, no eye tracking, no adaptive triggers, and no haptic feedback other than rumble.

Players will need a commercially available DisplayPort cable (sold separately) compatible with DisplayPort 1.4, as well as a Steam account and a PC that meets minimum requirements (i5-7600 or Ryzen 3 3100 or higher). [Source: PlayStation]

Summer Game Fest
Speaking in a Twitch stream Q&A, Summer Game Fest event producer and host Geoff Keighley says don’t expect Friday’s two-hour showcase to go big on new game announcements – especially in terms of titles a year or more out – so set expectations accordingly.

He says: “I think it’s going to be, generally, a little bit quieter this summer in terms of crazy new announcements and shocking surprises and things like that. There are absolutely new game announcements throughout the show, but just to level set, it’s not all brand new stuff. It tends to be things that are coming out later this year.” [Source: Twitch via VGC]

Avalanche Studios
Avalanche Studios Group, the company behind the “Just Cause” franchise and the “Mad Max” game, has announced significant restructuring plans.

50 employees are being let go and its New York and Montreal studios are being closed – leaving only its Swedish and UK studios. The group is currently working on the 1970s vehicle combat title “Contraband”. [Source: Game Developer]