For seven years, PlayStation fans have awaited a new game from Bend Studio, the team behind *Days Gone*. Now signs point to an unexpected return. An insider report claims the studio will unveil its next major project as early as 2027 and could launch it that same year. The new game is said to be a third-person title with co-op features but explicitly not a traditional live-service offering. However, fans hoping for Days Gone 2 will likely need to stay patient.
Bend Studio Reportedly Preparing New PS5 Game for 2027
The information comes from gaming magazine MP1st, which cites sources familiar with Bend Studio’s plans. According to the report, the Sony developer will officially unveil the unannounced project in 2027.
Even more surprising is the alleged release window. The sources claim the title is further along in development than many assumed, and Bend Studio is aiming for a 2027 launch—remarkable, given that the team hasn’t released a new game since 2019’s Days Gone.
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Take this with a grain of salt, though: Neither Sony Interactive Entertainment nor Bend Studio has confirmed the timeline, so an announcement next year—let alone a release soon after—remains unguaranteed.
No Days Gone 2—and apparently no live service either
The report also details gameplay elements. Players will view the action from a third-person perspective and enjoy cooperative features, though it remains unclear how extensive those features are or whether the entire adventure supports co-op.
The business model is noteworthy.
According to MP1st, it is explicitly not a live-service title, marking a sharp shift from an earlier online-focused project. It is also not a direct sequel to Days Gone, so one of the biggest hopes of many PlayStation fans will likely remain unfulfilled for now.
Fans have been hoping for years to see Deacon St. John return to his post-apocalyptic world, but Bend Studio appears set on moving forward with something new.
There were already hints of an announcement back in September
The new details don’t come as a complete surprise. Back on September 30, we reported on PSINFO about hints of a possible announcement of the next Bend Studio game in 2027. At the time, a job posting caught people’s attention. Bend was looking for a new Community Manager to start in January 2027.
The listing explicitly mentioned an upcoming high-profile AAA title and listed responsibilities such as marketing, community communication, and managing public channels. Even then, it seemed likely that Bend Studio was preparing for a more public phase.
The latest insider report goes further, suggesting not just a reveal but a launch in the same year. The timing of both hints lines up, though the job posting neither confirms the new gameplay details nor a specific release window.
After the failed multiplayer project, Bend had to start over
The past few years have been extremely difficult for Bend Studio. After the release of Days Gone, the team worked on various concepts, several of which never made it to market. Particularly significant was the cancellation of a major live-service project said to have been developed under the codename Mirror Pond.
Sony canceled the title in early 2025 as part of its shift away from live-service multiplayer games. Subsequent reports revealed that development had stalled over several years, according to a former employee.
We covered the background in our article “Bend Studio Pulls the Plug and Shuts Down a Project After Three Years.” The cancellation had consequences. In June 2025, the studio laid off about 40 employees, roughly 30 percent of its workforce.
For a studio that had gone several years without a new original title, this was a significant setback. At the same time, Bend announced it was pursuing a new direction and a fresh project. The latest information may now, for the first time, offer a clearer picture of that restart.
Co-op Instead of Mandatory Online Play?
The mix of third-person gameplay and co-op features is intriguing, suggesting Bend Studio may blend classic action-adventure design with shared experiences. After all, a co-op mode does not require constant updates.
Even self-contained adventures can offer co-op missions or a full co-op campaign. However, it is not yet known whether Bend Studio is pursuing such an approach. It also remains to be seen whether the project will focus primarily on an extensive story, an open-world setting, or mission-based gameplay segments.
Back in September 2025, hints already pointed to a narrative-driven AAA game. At that time, the studio was looking for a Creative Director for a title with a particular focus on the storyline.
In our report “Sony Bend Is Working on a New AAA Game, But Probably Not the One Many Expected,” we analyzed that listing in detail. It remains unclear whether that opening referred to the current project. The known details are intriguing, but they do not reveal the exact gameplay.
Is Days Gone 2 finally off the table?
While the news may please Bend Studio, it could spark mixed feelings among fans. Days Gone launched in April 2019 for PlayStation 4, overcame a rocky start, and has since become a popular action-adventure.
The motorcycle, open world, and massive enemy hordes left a lasting impression on many players. Days Gone Remastered brought a technically revamped PS5 version in April 2025.
A true sequel was never officially announced. Although the team discussed a follow-up after launch, the project never materialized. The new information also explicitly rules out Days Gone 2 as the studio’s next game. That doesn’t necessarily mean Sony will never revisit the franchise.
For now, however, little points to a return of Deacon St. John. Instead, Bend Studio seems poised to reposition itself with a fresh concept.
2027 could be a pivotal year for Bend Studio
Many details remain unknown. Sony has not revealed the game’s title, story, setting, or gameplay. The target platforms are also unconfirmed, though a PS5 launch is expected.
A State of Play or PlayStation Showcase appearance is possible, but Sony has not confirmed one. If the report is accurate, 2027 could still be a pivotal year for Bend Studio. After several canceled projects, layoffs, and a long hiatus, the team would finally have the chance to launch a major game again.
The reported decision to skip a live-service model may please many PlayStation fans.
The studio’s ability to deliver a compelling concept after these challenges will be crucial. Until Sony or the developers share concrete details, co-op gameplay and a 2027 launch remain unconfirmed. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
