We’ve been hearing whispers that Bend Studio may finally be steering away from live-service ambitions and toward a more traditional cooperative experience — and if true, that would be a welcome pivot. Per reporting by MP1st and highlighted by GameRant, the studio behind Days Gone is allegedly working on a third-person cooperative game that isn't currently planned as a live-service title. Take this with a pinch of salt: these claims come via anonymous sources, but they paint an intriguing picture for PlayStation’s library.
What Was Reported
According to an October 31 report from MP1st, the project is a third-person game with cooperative elements. The report allegedly rules out a direct Days Gone sequel, though it’s unclear whether the new project is a wholly original IP. Key claims include:
- It isn't currently planned as a live-service title, per sources.
- Development is reportedly much further along than players might expect.
- Anonymous sources claim the developer is planning to both reveal and release the project in 2027.
MP1st did not reveal how the cooperative elements will work, nor whether players could experience the game solo. Those design details remain unreported and unresolved for now.
The Source & Credibility
These claims originate from anonymous sources cited by MP1st, with GameRant relaying the details. Per GameRant, the MP1st scoop was published on November 2. Because the reporting leans on unnamed insiders, I’m approaching this cautiously — “allegedly” is the operative word.
We’re not alone in following Bend Studio’s path: you can see our earlier coverage on Bend Studio and how the studio’s next moves could unfold. And broader staffing shifts at PlayStation studios have been notable in recent coverage, including our report on Sucker Punch, which offers some industry context for why a new project matters to the teams involved.
What It Could Mean
If the MP1st claims are accurate, a non-live-service cooperative title from Bend Studio could signal a meaningful change in priorities for the developer and for PlayStation’s lineup. Here are the concrete touchpoints from the studio’s recent history that shape how we should read these rumours:
- Days Gone is still the studio’s most recent original game, and it developed a dedicated following.
- The studio delivered a PS5 remaster of Days Gone in April 2025.
- A pitched Days Gone 2 reportedly did not receive the green light from PlayStation.
- Following that, the studio worked on an unannounced live-service project codenamed Mirror Pond, which was reportedly canceled by Sony in early 2025.
- After the cancellation, the studio reportedly lost around 30% of its workforce through layoffs.
Those are documented claims from the reporting we’ve seen, and they frame why a smaller-scope co-op project — not tied to seasonal content or ongoing live operations — might be attractive to a studio rebuilding momentum. If Bend can deliver a focused cooperative game without the long-term obligations of a live-service model, it could free the team to ship a more complete experience at launch. Of course, that outcome is far from guaranteed — development plans can and do change.
Why This Matters
This rumour matters for a few clear reasons. First, it suggests Bend Studio may be shifting away from larger live-service ambitions that previously ended in a high-profile cancellation. Second, the reported timeline — targeting both reveal and release in 2027 — would mean we may not be waiting years to see what the team has been building, if those plans hold.
Finally, after reported layoffs and project turbulence, getting a new project into public view would be an important step for the studio and for PlayStation’s first-party slate. Again, these are claims from anonymous sources and must be treated as unconfirmed. I’m cautiously excited: a focused cooperative game from Bend could be exactly the kind of complete, multiplayer experience many players want, but for now we’ll be watching for official confirmation.
