Naughty Dog is a studio that is well known for the titles it has produced for the PlayStation console lineup. They have produced games from classics like Crash Bandicoot and Crash Team Racing to modern titles like Uncharted and The Last of Us. While the classics have held great significance for veteran gamers, the modern titles are some of the most cinematic titles ever released.
Naughty Dog recently canceled their upcoming multiplayer title, The Last of Us Online. The studio revealed to be working on a brand new IP, calling it a “brand new singleplayer experience.” The news was revealed when The Last of Us Online was delayed indefinitely. Now, along with the online title cancellation, the studio is confirmed to be working on multiple single-player titles. As per a leak, the studio may collaborate with Days Gone and Syphon Filter developer studio Sony Bend.
Naughty Dog’s next project may be in collaboration with Sony Bend
As per a leak on the subreddit r/GamingLeaksAndRumors, a LinkedIn profile indicated a future partnership between the two studios might be on the cards. The profile is of Adam Lawson, a Senior Gameplay Animator. When one looks at Lawson’s experience tab, the third entry shows that he has worked at Days Gone Developers for two and a half years. The experience entry states that:
Worked with Naughty Dog to prototype and create content on an unannounced project…Created animation tools in python to assist standing up maya animation pipeline at Bend Studio…Created previsualizations to inspire team and to plan game moments and systems.
The title isn’t mentioned, which is only natural since there has been no official announcement from either of the studios. It could have been the now-canceled The Last of Us Online, but it is also equally unlikely because the studio has produced games mostly about their single-player element. Since both the Syphon Filter developer and the team behind The Last of Us have developed Uncharted titles, it could be that the action-adventure series sees another title added to it.
Now, it is known that Bend Studio is working on a new title, which was only mentioned in May 2023 when the studio was celebrating its 30th anniversary. It was revealed by Hermen Hulst in 2021 that the Syphon Filter developer is working on a brand new IP set to expand the open-world systems built in their last game.
This is certainly not enough to conclude what the two studios have worked on for the last two and a half years. There is an abysmal chance that the upcoming title is remotely related to Days Gone or that Deacon St. John would have even as much as a cameo. That is because Sony reportedly rejected all the pitches for the second title. After all, the first title was underwhelming. Even if a sequel were to come out, it would be after Bend’s current project rolls out.
Why Sony Bend and Naughty Dog Need to Deliver Soon
Naughty Dog has been a fan favorite regarding titles for the PlayStation console lineup. Titles like The Last of Us and the Uncharted series have been flagbearers for PlayStation console exclusives.
Unfortunately, suppose the recent changes in the company’s strategy are any indication. In that case, it is more focused on generating revenue by releasing duplicate titles with a fresh coat of paint than new ones. It is no surprise that Insomniac is the leading contender when it comes to first-party PlayStation studios.
The fact that the company felt like remastering a three-year-old title for the PlayStation 5, despite it not even looking dated, feels asinine.
Side-by-side comparisons have dropped by of the game, not even looking all that different from the original released in 2020. While The Last of Us developer releases titles frequently, and their pedigree is enough to get them out of the fix they have gotten themselves in, Bend is a different story. It has produced some excellent titles, with their latest released four years ago. The has managed to gather quite a following by fans.
Despite this, it is not one of the best games to ever grace the PlayStation 4. The title has some glaring flaws regarding the character development and narrative. The stakes are high for Bend with its next because it needs to ensure that a title successful in ledgers and reviews is dished out to make up for its last title.
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