Bend Studio’s Shift: Contractors Let Go Amid Cancellation of Live-Service Game

Image by Bend Studio/PlayStation.

Two weeks after Sony terminated its currently trending live-service game, Bend Studio has dismissed an undisclosed number of contractors.

Several developers assigned to the unspecified project indicated they were recently let go or might be dismissed after February 14. These individuals were part of Bend’s team and design group. One designer mentioned that Bend “made the choice to prematurely terminate all ongoing contracts except for a select few who will be hired full time.”

Both Bend and Bluepoint Games were engaged in separate live-service projects at the time of their cancellation. Bluepoint was spearheading development on a title based on Sony Santa Monica’s God of War series. Following the project’s halt, Bend group manager Kevin McAllister asserted that the company still had a future and aimed to “create cool experiences.”

The live-service setbacks at PlayStation

PlayStation has previously undergone layoffs following the cancellation of various live-service games. When it reduced its workforce by 900 employees last year, it axed multiple planned projects, including one for the Twisted Metal series. It also shut down Concord developer Firewalk Studios after the game’s performance fell short.

In late 2023, Naughty Dog also cut contractor positions within its QA, art, and production teams. These reductions occurred after the studio’s work on its multiplayer spinoff of The Last of Us was halted due to a troubled development cycle. The spinoff was officially scrapped months later.

The cancellation of its multiplayer project means Bend Studio has yet to release a game for over six years. The last title the company launched was Days Gone in 2019.

Game Developer has contacted Sony for confirmation regarding Bend’s contractor layoffs and may update this article should a response be received.

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