Bend Studio's Ambitious Project "Mirror Pond" Faces Unfortunate Cancellation
The gaming world has been buzzing with anticipation, but it seems we’ve been left in the dark as Bend Studio—known for their work on Days Gone and the iconic Syphon Filter—hasn't made a peep for quite some time. In a surprising turn of events, their latest endeavor, an open-world live service game, was abruptly scrapped following a major restructuring at Sony. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this cancellation due to internal issues, or were there deeper problems at play?
According to insights from a former employee of Bend Studio, one potential reason for the project's demise could be the lack of substantial progress over three long years of development. This situation makes it all the more intriguing to explore what happened behind the scenes during that period, especially given how little official information has been released.
During its development phase, we were initially treated to a sneak peek that revealed several early screenshots, giving us hints about the game's setting and theme. Recently, we stumbled upon some early animations that provide further evidence supporting our earlier hypotheses regarding the game's direction.
Unveiling the Animations from "Mirror Pond"
The footage we found comes from the portfolio of a former animator at Bend Studio who contributed to the project. What it showcases are various animations tied to a third-person shooter experience that appears to embrace elements of modern military warfare.
This is clearly illustrated by the presence of tactical gadgets, such as drones and detachable projectiles designed to be mounted on the character’s arm, which were intended as player abilities. Additionally, there were tests involving various objects, including turrets, which hint at the gameplay mechanics that were under exploration.
While the animation footage itself may not be groundbreaking, it strongly supports our previous theories regarding the game's military focus. If you remember from our earlier discussions, the initial screenshots depicted a world heavily influenced by weaponry, complete with user interface concepts that suggested a player hub brimming with action.
Before these revelations came to light, details about "Mirror Pond" were few and far between, aside from the fact that it was intended as an expansive open-world live service title, leveraging systems established for Days Gone. Following the cancellation, more information trickled out, including the working title of the game—‘Mirror Pond’. Furthermore, it was discovered that the game was being developed using a proprietary engine created in-house, likely referring to the Decima Engine, renowned for its use in high-profile titles like Death Stranding and the Horizon series. This marked a shift from the Unreal Engine utilized in their previous game.
More intriguing information was unveiled through the resumes of former developers, offering a glimpse into the ambitious scope of the title. There was talk of a diverse roster featuring over 30 enemy types and a modular weapon system capable of accommodating more than 100 unique firearms.
When it comes to gameplay mechanics, these resumes mentioned innovative progression systems that incorporated multi-tiered experience points, event-based rewards, and reputation incentives, promising a rich multiplayer experience. Additionally, there was a significant focus on traversal, with an open world designed to encourage exploration through vehicles and other means.
Unfortunately, Bend Studio is no stranger to project cancellations. After the release of Days Gone, the team had been engaged in multiple initiatives that ultimately fell through the cracks, including a direct sequel to Days Gone, a rumored project within the Uncharted universe, and now, the fateful "Mirror Pond".
Their most recent release was a remaster of Days Gone, seemingly a strategy to maintain visibility while navigating this challenging period. However, reports suggest that Bend Studio is already diving into their next major project, and let’s hope this one sees the light of day!
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