Sony Bend Is Recruiting for a Multiplayer Project

Could this be PlayStation’s next live-service ace?

Bend Studio—the daring outfit behind Days Gone, Syphon Filter, and Bubsy 3D—has a job posting that's setting the excitement meter ablaze. They’re seeking a Creative Director with bona fide multiplayer experience to spearhead what looks like a brand-new online multiplayer project.

Where things stand

This fresh listing comes after a rocky stretch for the Oregon-based studio. Earlier this year, Sony canceled one of Bend’s live-service projects and laid off roughly 30% of its workforce—an unfortunate casualty of the broader uphill battle the platform-holder is facing in the live-service domain. Despite that setback, Sony reassured the public that no studios—including Bend—would close, hinting instead at new initiatives for these teams. But that doesn’t mean Sony abandoned its push into online gaming. The company recently formed Team LFG, a newly minted internal dev squad aimed at crafting immersive, lighthearted multiplayer worlds inspired by everything from MOBAs to life sims. Could Bend’s next venture fill a similar multiverse niche?

Peeking into the job post

Job openings at Bend are calling for roles like Senior Network Programmer, Technical Combat Designer, and yes—the Creative Director who'll define the emotional tone, gameplay vision, and alignment across disciplines. Crucially, having multiplayer design chops is a hard requirement—suggesting this isn't just a single-player game with an optional mode, but something built for interconnected play from the ground up.

Fans and forums weigh in

Not everyone is convinced the listing confirms a full-blown live-service game. One voice on gaming forums put it cleanly:

“Job listings aren't usually indicative of specific projects… This listing in no way suggests live service other than our own speculation.”

Still, the cancellation of their previous project—and 30% staff reduction—paired with this multiplayer hiring spree paints a telling picture: Bend’s pivoting. Whether that becomes a narrative-driven co-op or a full-on live-service ERA remains deliciously unknown.

What this might mean for PlayStation/MMO enthusiasts

• New Direction: This appears less like Days Gone 2 and more like a clean slate with multiplayer as a core design pillar.
• Sony’s Strategy: They're still chasing that live-service sparkle—this could be part of a smarter, leaner approach post-cancellations.
• Bend’s Shot at Redemption: If they pull this off, it could be the studio's most resilient and adaptive moment yet.