Summary
- Bend Studio reportedly lays off 30% of staff—about 40 employees.
- The layoffs follow the cancellation of an unnamed live-service game.
- Bend is now starting a new project, though details remain unclear.
Bend Studio Hit by Major Layoffs After Game Cancellation
According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Days Gone dev Bend Studio has laid off around 40 employees—about 30% of its entire team. This move follows the earlier cancellation of a live-service game that had been in development at the PlayStation-owned studio.
Schreier revealed the layoffs via a Bluesky post, adding that the studio is now “spinning up a new project.” However, details on what this project could be have not been shared publicly.
Sony had earlier stated it would help affected teams like Bend and Bluepoint find new directions after scrapping their in-development games.
No Details on the Cancelled Game or What’s Next
The canceled live-service title never had its name or details revealed, unlike Bluepoint’s scrapped God of War online title. Bend’s last major release was the PS5 remaster of Days Gone, which remains its biggest success. Yet, despite fan demand for Days Gone 2, PlayStation has shown little interest in reviving the franchise.
The studio was once rumored to be working on a new Uncharted game, but that too was shut down. With many key developers from the Days Gone team already gone, the chances of a sequel now seem even more unlikely.
As of now, it’s unknown whether Bend will pursue a fresh IP or pick up another existing PlayStation franchise. What’s clear is that the studio is undergoing a major transition, and the layoffs will have a huge impact on its future direction.
