Hold onto Your DualSenses: Days Gone Devs Are Reportedly Brewing a Multiplayer Potion – But What's the Catch?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Bend Studio, the creators of *Days Gone*, are reportedly developing a new multiplayer game, as indicated by a recent job posting for a Creative Director with multiplayer experience. This strategic pivot follows a period of significant layoffs and rumored project cancellations for the studio, raising questions about whether it's a new creative direction or a response to industry pressures, despite *Days Gone Remastered*'s recent popularity.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're exploring some vast, zombie-infested wilderness, thinking you've got it all figured out, and then *BAM* – a job listing drops that makes you rethink absolutely everything? That's pretty much where we are with Bend Studio, the talented bunch who brought us the motorcycle-riding, Freaker-slaying good times of *Days Gone*.
Word on the digital street (and by 'street,' I mean a certain PlayStation job posting on Greenhouse that's caught more than a few keen eyes) is that Bend Studio is on the hunt for a new Creative Director. Nothing too wild there, right? Studios hire new talent all the time. But here's where it gets interesting, mate: this director is needed for a 'next title' that's apparently 'already in development,' and a key requirement for applicants? Extensive experience in the 'development and design of multiplayer games.'
Now, if you’re like me, your first thought might have been, 'Multiplayer? From Bend? Didn't see that coming after *Days Gone*'s lone wolf vibe.' And fair dinkum, *Days Gone* was a very solitary, character-driven experience. But let’s not forget, Bend Studio isn't a one-trick pony. Before Deacon St. John was tearing up the Pacific Northwest, they were dabbling in all sorts, including some multiplayer action in their *Syphon Filter* days. So, while it feels like a left-field turn from their most recent hit, it’s not entirely uncharted territory for them.
But what does this *really* mean? And more importantly, *why* are they making this pivot? This is where my curiosity starts to bubble like a poorly brewed potion. See, the gaming industry lately has been… well, let's just say it's been a bit of a chaotic spellcasting session where a lot of things have gone sideways. We’ve seen an absolute deluge of layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations across the board. And sadly, Bend Studio hasn't been immune to this industry-wide malaise.
Just back in June, Bend Studio reportedly saw a significant 'restructuring,' resulting in about 40 employees – a staggering 30 percent of their workforce – being let go. Bloody hell, that's a big chunk. Add to that, whispers from July suggesting that multiple unannounced and open-world games from the studio had been unceremoniously axed. And if we rewind even further to January, there were reports of PlayStation cancelling *two* live-service games, with Bend Studio potentially heading up one of them. Talk about a rough patch, eh?
The timing of this multiplayer director hunt, then, feels less like a sudden burst of creative inspiration and more like a strategic play in a very high-stakes game. Is this a new IP entirely? Are we looking at a *Days Gone*-adjacent universe, but with co-op motorcycle gangs? Or – and this is where the *Syphon Filter* fans perk up – could this be a long-awaited revival of a beloved franchise, now with a modern multiplayer twist? The thought of a new *Syphon Filter* after 18 years certainly gets the old digital heart thumping.
On one hand, it’s easy to be gently skeptical. We’ve seen a lot of studios pushed towards 'live-service' and 'multiplayer' models that sometimes feel forced, prioritising endless monetisation over genuine player experience. When you hear about layoffs and cancellations, it's natural to wonder if this is a passionate new direction or a survival tactic dictated by the big wigs up top – a way to secure funding or appease shareholder demands for 'engagement metrics.' Sony, in particular, has expressed a desire to expand its live-service offerings, so it wouldn't be a huge leap to connect these dots.
However, there's a silver lining, a little spark of optimistic chaos in this digital cauldron. *Days Gone Remastered* actually launched this past April for PlayStation 5 and has reportedly seen a resurgence in popularity. That’s got to count for something, right? It shows there’s still an appetite for Bend's distinctive flavour of gaming. If they can channel that unique world-building and narrative skill into a multiplayer experience that genuinely serves players – perhaps with compelling co-op elements or a fresh take on competitive play that doesn't feel like a cynical cash grab – then maybe, just maybe, this could be something truly special.
Ultimately, the path for Bend Studio seems to be taking a rather intriguing turn. From single-player survival epics to what appears to be a multiplayer future, they’re navigating some choppy waters. Let's hope that whatever magic they're brewing, it ends up being a potent concoction for players, rather than just another miscast spell. What do you reckon? Are you ready to hop on a motorcycle with your mates, or are you hoping for something entirely new from the Bend crew?
Tags: Bend Studio, Days Gone, Multiplayer, Game Development, Industry Trends
Original article: Game Rant