Sony’s Bend Studio Confirms Layoffs as It Shifts Focus to Next Project

image: Days Gone/Bend Studio/Sony

Bend Studio, the developer behind Days Gone, has confirmed that it has laid off several employees as the studio transitions to its next game.

In a message posted on social media on June 11, Bend Studio said, “Today, we said goodbye to some incredibly talented teammates as we transition to our next project. We’re deeply thankful for their contributions as they’ve shaped who we are, and their impact will always be part of our story.”

The studio also acknowledged that this was a difficult moment but reaffirmed its commitment to future projects, stating it will continue with “creativity, passion, and innovation.”

While the studio has not revealed the exact number, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that approximately 30% of the team — around 40 employees — may have been affected by the layoffs. He also noted that it seems unlikely the entire studio is facing closure, suggesting leadership is still working to keep it running despite challenges.

These layoffs follow an earlier report from January 2025, when Sony scrapped Bend's unnamed live-service project along with Bluepoint's God of War online game.

Bend Studio’s most notable recent release was Days Gone in 2019 for PlayStation 4, which later launched on PC in 2021. The game had a mixed reception at launch but developed a strong fanbase over time. Despite that, a sequel was not approved by Sony, leaving the studio to move in a new direction.

Historically, Bend Studio has worked on several PlayStation titles, including Syphon Filter, Resistance: Retribution, and Uncharted: Golden Abyss. With no word on a return to Syphon Filter or a Days Gone sequel, many now believe the studio may be focusing on an entirely new IP.