Bend Studio

My Analysis & Predictions

Despite Days Gone shipping over 6 years ago, there's a reason why we don't even have a name for Bend's next game. It's been a very long string of bad luck:

• Bend pitched Days Gone 2, which Sony rejected due to the initial reception of Days Gone.
• A 2020 internal power struggle resulted in the writer and creative director leaving.
• This led to new leadership greenlighting a live-service game within a new IP.
• The game was then cancelled in January 2025. Likely due to Sony leadership's cold feet in live-service post-Concord.

Fortunately, much of DG's criticisms stem from those who lost the power struggle. Between that, Sony's new-found reluctance in live-service, DG getting a remaster, and the more positive general consensus around the IP in 2025, there's a good chance Days Gone 2 could now be greenlit and launch to much better critical reception.

This would be the best case scenario, but don't expect it until PS6. Meaning out of all PS Studios, Bend will go the longest without releasing a new game. Due to ex-leadership and Sony's poor live-service execution, the PS5 has been a truly wasted generation for Bend.