Insider: Sony Reviving Dormant Franchises, Ape Escape Rumored
An insider says Sony wants to revive dormant franchises amid Ape Escape rumors, but Team Asobi is not developing a new entry.
An insider known as NatetheHate2 said Sony is looking to bring back some dormant franchises, responding to a ResetEra user who asked about Ape Escape. The same insider said Team Asobi is not working on a new Ape Escape.
The comments arrive amid rumors that Ape Escape is returning, though no official announcement has been made. Team Asobi, the studio behind Astro Bot, had been a common guess for a revival given its history with PlayStation mascots.
Ape Escape has been dormant for years. The original launched on PS1 in 1999, and Ape Escape 3 arrived on the PlayStation 2 in 2005 as the last main series entry. A PlayStation Move party game followed on PS3 in 2011.
The series has stayed visible through cameos. Ape Escape characters have appeared in LittleBigPlanet, Astro's Playroom, Astro Bot, and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Sony has also recently increased Ape Escape merchandise, particularly in Japan.
Team Asobi's Astro Bot won Game of the Year in 2024, raising its profile within PlayStation's first-party lineup. For now, the fate of Ape Escape rests on unconfirmed insider talk.
Quick answers
Is a new Ape Escape game confirmed?
No. The claim comes from an insider known as NatetheHate2, not from Sony.
Is Team Asobi making the new Ape Escape?
According to NatetheHate2, Team Asobi is not working on a new Ape Escape.
When did the last main Ape Escape game come out?
Ape Escape 3 launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. A PlayStation Move party game followed on PS3 in 2011.