Team Asobi has finally addressed why Square Enix characters are notably absent from Astro Bot, explaining that it’s “difficult to comment on” the specifics.

Speaking with journalist Stephen Totilo, Team Asobi’s head, Nicolas Doucet, shed some light on the overall process of securing character cameos for Astro Bot. Initially, the studio hoped to gain approval for “maybe half” of the characters they approached rights holders about, but they were pleasantly surprised by the positive responses they received. According to Doucet, many partners were eager to be involved, with most of them “just raising their hand and saying, ‘absolutely’.” In the end, the approval rate reached “almost 100%” of what they had requested.

However, some high-profile absences stood out, like the lack of characters from Square Enix, including Final Fantasy VII’s Cloud. When pressed about this, Doucet chose not to provide a definitive answer, stating simply, “It’s difficult to comment on [Square Enix’s approvals]. We really respect the choice of each publisher.” This comment underscores the complexities involved in licensing and getting approval for third-party intellectual properties, which may explain why certain characters weren’t featured.

The inclusion of character cameos was intended to be a celebration of the gaming community as a whole, with Astro Bot serving as a tribute to beloved franchises and well-known characters. However, given the challenges of getting approvals from multiple rights holders, it’s clear why some iconic figures may not have made the final roster.

Interestingly, Days Gone director John Garvin also shared his views on character cameos, though from a different angle. While Garvin wasn’t directly involved in any decision regarding the appearance of Days Gone’s protagonist, Deacon, in Astro Bot, he expressed a critical perspective on such inclusions, describing them as akin to having “a cartoon shill.” His remarks reflect a contrasting stance on using characters from different franchises in cross-promotional efforts.

Though Team Asobi succeeded in securing character appearances from many companies, the lack of some significant characters—such as those from Square Enix—serves as a reminder of the challenges of navigating intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, the wide range of cameos in Astro Bot stands as a testament to the spirit of collaboration within the gaming industry, showcasing both the enthusiasm of many partners and the inevitable hurdles of bringing iconic characters together.