One of the most pleasant games to be revealed this week was Spyro: A Realm Beyond from Toys for Bob, the former Activision Blizzard studio that briefly became part of Microsoft before somehow managing to not only gain its independence, but also get permission to make a new entry in the legendary franchise.

In an interview with IGN, Studio Head Paul Yan and Associate Creative Director Lou Studdert spoke more about how the studio gained independence, the birth of the new game and its most exciting feature.

Paul Yan described how, during its time under Activision Blizzard, Toys for Bob had been acting as support for the likes of Overwatch 2 and Warzone.

“Toys for Bob stepped up to support those initiatives and support those teams and those games and we’re very proud of the work that we did, but deep down inside we knew that there wasn’t the right fit and we were getting away from the types of games that we love to make and that we’re best known to doing,” said Yan.

“Spyro: A Realm Beyond for us, it represents a return to the types of games that we are most passionate about making.”

Surprisingly, when Toys for Bob approached Microsoft — which had since completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard — with the goal of spinning off, the plan was granted. But with independence and the chance to make anything it wanted, why go back to Spyro?

“Spyro has been on our minds for a long time. It’s part of our DNA. We’ve been working with the character, you know, through Skylanders and through Reignited.”

“During the Reignited Trilogy, that’s where the spark of the idea for this game came from.”

We didn’t see too much of Spyro’s new adventure, but we did learn that there’s going to be an emphasis on flying around. Not just gliding, and not just in certain spots — you can apparently fly whenever you want.

“You’re going to be transitioning from ground to air at a moment’s notice whenever you want as true player freedom,” said Studdert.

The interviewer fired back by asking if there would be pads or special things you need to activate, but was told: “It is press a button and you are flying. And so it’s not select levels, it is not gliding, it is true flight.”

The flying is described as involving diving down to gain speed and using your flame breath to ignite campfires to gain more height.

When Toys for Bob released Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, it reawoke my love for the purple fire-breathing lizard, so I’m beyond thrilled that we are finally getting a new game.

Now we just need a new Sly Cooper and another Jak & Daxter game. Let’s bring ’em all back.