Team Asobi has finally explained the lack of Square Enix characters in Astro Bot PS5, and it’s a response that we somewhat expected. Studio lead Nicolas Doucet didn’t outright say it, but his answer to a direct question posed by Game File’s Stephen Totilo all but confirms that Square Enix wasn’t on board with the

Square Enix definitely understands how their fans are thinking, and they understand what expectations and culture they have created with their fans, who play on PlayStation. They no longer want to signal that PlayStation is Square Enix’s ‘home’ anymore. At the very least, it is not their only home.

While there are no Square Enix characters in 'Astro Bot', Team Asobi's head Nicolas Doucet has stressed he "respects the choice" of the studio to keep its I.P.s out of the game.