Tag: Bend Studio

  • Bend Studio Rumored to Cancel Several Unannounced Projects

    Bend Studio Rumored to Cancel Several Unannounced Projects

    Key Takeaways

    1. Bend Studio has reportedly cancelled or put on hold several unannounced projects, according to a former employee’s LinkedIn profile.
    2. Jacob Fieth, a former team member, contributed significantly to the studio’s game development, suggesting that the shelved projects were well-developed.
    3. Earlier this year, Sony scrapped a live-service game from Bend Studio, leading to confusion and layoffs affecting 30% of the workforce.
    4. Bend Studio’s last major release was the PS5 and PC version of Days Gone, which received a positive reception on Steam.
    5. There has been no official statement from Sony or Bend Studio regarding the future of the studio or the possibility of a Days Gone sequel.

    Sony’s Bend Studio, known for creating 2019’s Days Gone, is currently surrounded by rumors indicating that several unannounced projects associated with the studio have been either cancelled or put on hold indefinitely.

    Insights from a Former Employee

    This information emerged from Jacob Fieth’s LinkedIn profile, a former member of Bend Studio who was part of the team from 2019 until June 2025. He noted “multiple cancelled/unannounced projects” in his experiences, implying that the studio had been developing several titles that are unlikely to be released.

    A Veteran’s Contributions

    Fieth had significant experience at Bend Studio, where he “created and iterated on Open World Events and Missions, prototyped Open World Events, Puzzles and Systems, and created layouts for various POIs in the Open World (2D and 3D layouts).” Additionally, he also played a role in drafting design documents, worked closely with animators and programmers to produce in-game cinematics, and improved player traversal mechanics. Given this background, it’s reasonable to assume that the projects he worked on had advanced notably before being shelved.

    Recent Developments

    Earlier this year, Sony officially scrapped a live-service game that Bend Studio had been developing. They assured fans that the studio “was not going anywhere.” However, the aftermath has been quite confusing, as reports indicated that 30% of Bend Studio’s workforce was laid off following the cancellation, with more layoffs speculated to have taken place last month.

    Bend Studio’s latest significant release was the PS5 and PC version of Days Gone, which originally launched on the PS4 in 2019. The game holds a very positive rating on Steam, boasting a user score of 91.43%. In total, it has garnered 96,811 positive reviews on the platform. Prior to Days Gone, Bend Studio had also contributed to Uncharted: Golden Abyss for the PS Vita and the Syphon Filter series.

    Future Uncertainty

    As of now, neither Sony Interactive Entertainment nor Bend Studio has made any public statements regarding the rumored cancellations of projects in development. Given the recent layoffs, the prospects for a Days Gone sequel or any new open-world titles appear quite dim.

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  • Final Fantasy-Inspired JRPG Raises $300K on Kickstarter, Canceled

    Key Takeaways

    1. Several game projects, including Bend Studio’s live-action project and Studio Camelia’s Alzara Radiant Echoes, have been cancelled recently due to funding issues and rising development costs.
    2. Studio Camelia raised over $300,000 on Kickstarter, but only covered 50% of their game’s development costs, leading to their closure.
    3. Kickstarter backers of Alzara Radiant Echoes are unlikely to receive refunds following the project’s cancellation.
    4. Alzara Radiant Echoes was a JRPG inspired by Final Fantasy, featuring colorful art and turn-based battles, but its demo is no longer accessible due to legal complications.
    5. The situation highlights the risks of ambitious game projects and the potential pitfalls of backing Kickstarter campaigns, as not all promising ideas will succeed.

    Over the last few months, several games that were in development have been cancelled. The latest news comes from Bend Studio, known for Days Gone, which had to let go some of its staff after a live-action project for Sony was scrapped. Even indie studios are feeling the pinch from increasing development expenses. Studio Camelia, which raised over $300,000 on Kickstarter, has now announced they are closing down, effectively ending their first project, Alzara Radiant Echoes.

    Funding Shortfalls

    On their Kickstarter page, the studio mentioned that the funds raised, along with their own savings, only covered 50% of the costs to develop Alzara Radiant Echoes. They were hoping to secure a sponsorship from an “industry partner” to finish the game, but they couldn’t find one. Currently, the project is cancelled, and unless someone else steps in, there seems to be no hope for its revival. Furthermore, backers from Kickstarter are not likely to see any refunds.

    A Glimpse of Potential

    Alzara Radiant Echoes was designed to be a JRPG influenced by games like Final Fantasy. While there is a demo of the game, it may no longer be available. You can still catch a quick look on its Steam page and through a YouTube video. The four-minute video showcases some of the game’s world and gameplay, featuring a unique, colorful art style and turn-based battles. Sadly, due to legal complications, the demo itself isn’t accessible for players.

    The Risks of Ambition

    Although Alzara Radiant Echoes didn’t aim to change the JRPG landscape, it appeared to hold promise. With the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, more gamers have started to explore the turn-based RPG genre. This situation serves as a harsh reminder that not every ambitious project will come to fruition and highlights the risks involved in backing a Kickstarter campaign, regardless of how appealing it may seem.

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