Sony Interactive Entertainment’s cancellation of Bend Studio’s live service game has reignited calls for a sequel to the studio’s previous title, Days Gone.
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s decision to cancel a live-service project in development at Bend Studio has sparked renewed demand among fans for a sequel to the studio’s 2019 cult classic, Days Gone. It was revealed that the live-service game was scrapped after several years of development. This decision has reignited debates over the missed opportunity to expand on the Days Gone universe.
All Those Days…Gone
As Reset Era member Kapote puts it, all those days, months, and years of effort Bend Studio put towards a now canceled live service game are gone, taking with them the possibility of the studio releasing a new title in the near future. Reactions across Twitter/X have been a mixture of frustration and hope. Many fans lament the time and resources spent on the canceled project, wishing that the studio could have instead been working on Days Gone 2. Another Reset Era member, PhaZe 5, expressed dismay, stating, “Bend losing all these years when they could have iterated on a great game in Days Gone is f***ing painful.” Fellow member Machine Law added, “So in all this time Bend could’ve been working on a Days Gone sequel, and even if it failed, it wouldn’t have cost as much money as this failure.”
The Case For Days Gone 2
A presentation slide leaked alongside data stolen from Insomniac Games indicated that Bend Studio was, at one point, working on a sequel to Days Gone. The studio seemed to be looking to make a pitch to Sony Interactive Entertainment executives. However, it turned out that the development team didn’t move forward with it and ended up working on a brand new IP instead, which we now know was the recently canceled live service game.
The cancellation of Bend Studio’s live service game has given some fans hope that a Days Gone sequel may now become a reality. Reddit user CaptainDsmooth said, “[Sony] are not closing Bend Studios and will be working with [Bend Studio] as they plan their next project. I would think after spending probably quite a bit on development costs for the last few years that they may want to choose to go the safe route and stick with an established IP, and what better way than to revisit the Days Gone franchise with a sequel.”
Despite a mixed critical reception at launch, Days Gone has amassed a dedicated fanbase over the years. The Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead-inspired setting resonated with players. Calls for a sequel often highlight the potential to build on the original’s strengths while addressing its shortcomings. “Unironically, a Days Gone 2 would have been received really well today,” wrote Reset Era member Precious Tritium, pointing to the positive word of mouth the game received over the years and the evolving gaming landscape. Fellow member amara added, “I think Bend will need to make Days Gone 2 now. That’s 5-10m sales right there. Enough to get greenlit and survive a Sony culling.”
For now, the future of Days Gone remains uncertain, fans have made several compelling arguments in favor of its return. It’s ultimately up to Sony Interactive Entertainment to take lessons from its misdirection and correct course.
