Bend Studio’s Canceled Live Service Game Animations Revealed

After a significant period of silence, Bend Studio has garnered attention due to the revelation of animations from their canceled project, “Mirror Pond.” As the creators behind popular titles like Days Gone and Syphon Filter, the studio faced restructuring at Sony that led to the abrupt cancellation of this open-world live service game.

Bend Studio’s Canceled Project: Mirror Pond

A former employee revealed that the cancellation was partly due to insufficient progress over three years of development. This situation makes the newly discovered animations from the project particularly fascinating.

Insights from Development Animations

• Animations showcase a third-person shooter style.
• Military warfare elements are evident, featuring tactical gadgets.
• Examples include drones and detachable projectiles from the player character’s forearm.
• Various tests for objects like turrets were also conducted.

These animations lend support to earlier theories about the game’s military theme. Previous reports indicated a setting consistent with this direction, showcasing weapon-heavy user interfaces and a centralized player hub.

Technical Aspects of Mirror Pond

Details about the project’s technical foundation have emerged, with the game built on a proprietary in-house engine, likely related to the Decima Engine. This marks a shift from the Unreal Engine used in their previous installment.

• Game Scope: Over 30 different enemy types.
• Weapon System: Modular design accommodating more than 100 unique firearms.
• Progression Systems: Multi-tiered XP, event rewards, and reputation mechanics.
• Exploration Mechanics: Open world designed for vehicle navigation and diverse traversal methods.

Bend Studio’s History of Cancellations

This cancellation is not the first for Bend Studio. Following the success of Days Gone, several projects have been abandoned, including a sequel to Days Gone and a rumored Uncharted game. Their latest release, a remaster of Days Gone, was seen as a strategy to maintain visibility during this challenging time.

Currently, Bend Studio is reportedly busy on a new project, and there is hope that this one will reach the public. For the latest updates, stay tuned to Filmogaz.com.