A job listing for a Senior Network Programmer indicates the Days Gone studio's new game will feature multiplayer in some capacity. Developer Bend Studio confirmed its plans to pursue an original IP several weeks ago, following reports that Sony rejected the proposal for a Days Gone sequel.
According to Days Gone Director Jeff Ross, who now works at NetherRealm, the sequel pitch featured plans for cooperative gameplay options. Such a feature, Ross told God of War creator David Jaffe, would've seen players team up to build a post-apocalyptic motorcycle crew of their own. Since Bend Studio is moving on from the Freaker-focused franchise, these ideas and others have fallen to the cutting room floor. However, the development studio does aim to repurpose a few of the lessons learned from creating Days Gone; PlayStation Studios Head Hermen Hulst recently confirmed that Bend's new IP will build upon the "deep open-world systems" on display in the 2019 sleeper hit.
Details about the mystery project remain scant, of course, but a fresh piece of insight suggests Bend Studio is currently exploring online systems. This much comes courtesy of a job ad on Greenhouse Boards (via GamingBolt) that shows Bend's interest in hiring a Senior Network Programmer. The listing makes note of a "high-profile AAA console title," then goes on to explain that this particular role specializes in providing support for "low-level network issues... multiplayer engine design/architecture, PSN platform services, digital rights management, patching, and digital commerce." No other details of consequence feature in the posting.
As of writing, it's not clear if the network features will merely serve as a component of the experience. Bend Studio could have its hands full with a multiplayer-centric title, for example, though such a project isn't in the Oregon-based team's past pedigree.
Best known for creating PlayStation's classic Syphon Filter series, Bend Studio spent years pumping out projects for other Sony-owned properties before finally getting to dive in with a new IP of its own in Days Gone. After releasing the last Syphon Filter entry in 2007, Logan's Shadow, the group produced PSP's Resistance: Retribution and later developed two Uncharted adventures for the PS Vita - Uncharted: Golden Abyss and collectible card game Uncharted: Fight for Fortune.
Days Gone is available to play now on PC, PS4, and PS5 platforms.
Source: Greenhouse Boards via GamingBolt