In a significant restructuring move, PlayStation’s Bend Studio has announced a reduction in its workforce, impacting nearly one-third of its employees. The news, initially reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier on BlueSky, was later confirmed by the studio through its official social media channels.
Context of the Layoffs
This decision follows the cancellation of a live-service project that had been in development, alongside the discontinuation of another service-based game at Bluepoint. While the exact number of affected employees remains unconfirmed, LinkedIn data suggests that Bend Studio employs approximately 130 individuals, indicating that around 40 staff members may have been impacted by these layoffs.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Bend Studio expressed its gratitude towards the departing employees: “Today, we said goodbye to some incredibly talented teammates as we transition to our next project. We’re deeply thankful for their contributions as they’ve shaped who we are, and their impact will always be part of our story. This is a difficult moment for our team, but we hold immense respect for everyone who got us here.”
Legacy of Bend Studio
Bend Studio is perhaps best known for its acclaimed title, Days Gone, which debuted on PlayStation 4 in 2019 and later made its way to PC in 2021. The studio’s journey has been marked by creativity and innovation, and as it navigates this challenging period, it remains committed to its future endeavors.