Amid Astro Bot hype, Psychonauts studio shoots down speculation that it's reviving dormant Xbox platformers like Crash or Banjo: "We want to make our games"

Astro Bot might be all the rage right now, but Psychonauts 2 developer Double Fine has reiterated that it still isn't working on something related to corporate owner Xbox's now-massive slate of dormant platformers.

"We love platformers here at Double Fine, so imagine our smiles playing Astro Bot and seeing what ~seems~ to be a familiar face," the studio tweeted yesterday. "In 2013, we collaborated with Japan Studios on the Playroom's 'My Alien Buddy' and it seems like a version of our green friend is still on a rampage."

For those not neck-deep in Astro Bot lore, the little guy was first assembled for free PS4 minigame marathon The Playroom, made by the now shut-down Japan Studios, and one of the DLC packs featuring a bobbly green alien came courtesy of Double Fine. A very similar-looking, UFO-riding green alien serves as the main antagonist of this year's Astro Bot.

We love platformers here at Double Fine, so imagine our smiles playing Astrobot and seeing what ~seems~ to be a familiar face.In 2013, we collaborated with Japan Studios on the Playroom's 'My Alien Buddy' and it seems like a version of our green friend is still on a rampage. pic.twitter.com/ZKpf2ReyblSeptember 6, 2024

"Coincidence? I don't believe in 'em, Scully! But either way we're always happy to see another game with a double jump," the studio continues. "Congrats to Team Asobi on the fun times!"

If I were a snob I'd point out that Astro Bot doesn't actually have a double jump, but people were excited at the prospect of more platformers regardless since Astro's one of the most widely-loved games this year.

In the comments, one fan asks about the possibility of Double Fine reviving Banjo-Kazooie, the classic platformer that's largely been dormant for almost 20 years. "No," is the studio's simple answer. Another fan instead tests their luck to ask about "Conker?" - the similarly great but dormant platformer about the worst hangover a bad-mouthed squirrel could ever have. 

"No," the studio says again.