Bend Studio, the creators of the acclaimed Days Gone, have their newest unannounced IP leaked revealing a project that is surprisingly different from what many expected. The source of this leak is a UI designer who worked at the studio from 2022 until March of this year. Their portfolio of user-unveiled design concepts for this potential game gives a sneak peek into what might be in store, however, fans might not like what they see.
Live Service Shooter Speculation
To the dismay of many, the new IP might be a live service third-person shooter as the information taken from the user suggests. This genre, which the gaming community feels has worn out its welcome, and the recent failure of titles like Concord, and Overwatch 2 have left a sour taste in gamers’ mouths.
As a result, the news of Bend Studio’s new title being part of this genre has led to some skepticism. Images showcasing UI and weapons descriptions suggest that the new IP could have a modern military theme, a crafting system, and an XP system, all of which are common in live service games of today. The game could also have potential customization for the characters and a ranking system, reinforcing previous notions.
Bend Studio’s Proven Expertise
While many have already made up their mind and expected the new IP to be among the many failed live service shooters of this era, there is a compelling case that can bring another perspective. The studio’s track record with militaristic games such as Syphon Filter showcases the deep-rooted expertise in creating innovative world-building, game design, and combat systems that make up for a really fun third-person shooter with engaging gameplay. This showcases the studio’s capability to craft a game that can hold its own amongst peers, something that is necessary to do among so many other live-service shooters of today. Moreover, the success of Days Gone suggests that Bend Studio can tackle different genres- open-world, and survival.
The Execution Matters
Finally, from a critical perspective, the failure of the live service shooters is not necessarily due to the genre itself but rather its execution. Success stories like Warframe demonstrate that consistent support and aversion to aggressive micro-transactions and pay-to-win features can help gamers find this genre more appealing. If Bend Studios can come up with a fresh formula or system as they did with Sypher Filter 1, it would breathe new life into the genre, reigniting the player’s interest.
Conclusion
All in all, dismissal at this stage is premature. Bend Studios has always shown a potential to innovate and reinvent in their previous titles, and this provides their new title with a benefit of the doubt- and perhaps even anticipation.
