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Bend Studio

History

Founded in 1992, this Oregon-based developer is best known for developing the Syphon Filter series on PS1, PS2 and PSP. They've also developed spin-off games from IP created at other first-party studios, like Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Naughty Dog) and Resistance: Retribution (Insomniac).

Bend's last game was 2019's Days Gone on PS4. They've therefore not released a native PS5 game yet. However, a remaster of Days Gone is launching on April 25 that includes resolution/framerate upgrades, a new horde mode and other small things like new trophies.

My Analysis & Predictions

Despite Days Gone releasing 5 years ago, we still know very little about their next title. But due to internal leaks and some investigative-reporting, here's what we do know:

  • Bend pitched Days Gone 2, which Sony rejected due to poor critical reception of Days Gone.
  • A power struggle occurred in 2020 resulting in the writer and creative director leaving.
  • It will be a new IP under new leadership.
  • It will be a live service game.

The vast majority of Days Gone's criticisms could be attributed to those who lost the power struggle and left Bend. Between that and the fact that it's already been 5 years, I believe that regardless of the move to live service, Bend's next game will fare better than Days Gone. At least critically.

We should expect to see something soon as Bend have gone the longest out of all PS Studios without releasing a game.

Days Gone

PS5 Games

Days Gone Remastered

Genre: Action-Adventure

Release Date: April 25, 2025

Days Since Their Last Game: 2192

Metacritic Score: N/A