The Days Gone team at Bend Studio is part of Sony’s first-party developer studios. And it’s one of those studios preparing for their next project. But it seems that there will be some layoffs to coincide with that.
A statement from the studio, via social media, confirmed some positions were eliminated (or ‘let go’) the other day. It didn’t give specific numbers but the studio said thecreators impacted their brand and helped with their creative journey so were thankful for their contribution.
Acknowledging the Difficult Moment
Bend Studio shared info in their public message that this is an emotional and professional challenging time. The letter thanked the departing colleagues for their talent and hard work. It said their contribution would always remain in the studio’s legacy. In the future, the team is devoted to creativity and innovation through a process of building.
Reports Suggest Significant Staff Reductions
While Bend Studio hasn’t confirmed numbers, industry sources suggest that about 30% of the studio’s employees, which could be 40 employees, were laid off. Journalists believe that this much cutback may not mean shutdown of the studio but could be a way to stabilise it internally.
Context Behind the Cuts
Following the cancelation of two unreleased live-service games earlier this year, the layoffs happened. As stated, one of those was in development at Bluepoint Games and was tied to the God of War franchise. The second game was in development at Bend Studio but not much is known. Even though the project was canceled, the studio made it clear that it still wanted to build new things.
Bend Studio’s last big release before the game we’re likely going to see in the next couple of years was Days Gone – which launched as a PS4 exclusive in 2019 and was subsequently ported to PC in 2021.
Broader Industry Turbulence
Bend Studio’s restructuring represents a wider trend throughout the gaming industry. Studios must now cope with a new reality involving cancelled projects and financial recalibrations. Just days ahead of Bend’s announcement, Outriders developer People Can Fly also confirmed layoffs due to the cancellation of two of its own projects.
Bend Studio and other developers are adapting the industry swiftly, even if it comes at the cost of valuable talent. The studio may not have a future, but the management has assured the gaming community of their dedication to innovation-driven development.