Sony Bend Studio’s mysterious live service project Mirror Pond officially died without meaningful progress after three years development, former senior animator Robert Morrison confirmed. Recent animation leaks showcase mocap combat and Decima engine traversal originally destined for the canceled IP. Post-40% layoffs, Bend hunts single-player redemption as Days Gone 2 dreams fade.
Mirror Pond: Three Years, Zero Progress
Robert Morrison worked Bend Studio 2022-2025 creating hand-keyed and mocap gameplay animations for Mirror Pond – player locomotion, combat abilities, NPC interactions, all built in Guerrilla’s Decima engine. LinkedIn resume listed the project before recent deletion amid leak scrutiny.
‘To be fair we didn’t make enough substantial progress over the three years I was there. I saw the eventual cancellation coming prior to it,’ Morrison tweeted October 2025. Sony canceled Mirror Pond early 2025 alongside Bluepoint’s rumored God of War live service during aggressive live service purge.
New Animation Footage Surfaces
February 2026 leaks reveal Mirror Pond combat animations – fluid third-person shooting, melee finishers, wall-running traversal showcasing Decima’s Horizon capabilities. Military-themed setting matches earlier reports of tactical squad shooter. Leaked HUD, weapon models, enemy AI behaviors suggest playable alpha existed before kill order.
Ex-Bend animator VOID Interactive (Ready or Not) confirmed authenticity: ‘That’s our old mocap studio work. Bend had traversal vision but core loop never gelled.’ Studio politics reportedly killed project – Days Gone director Jeff Ross allegedly blocked live service pivot despite Sony mandates.
Bend’s Live Service Nightmare
Sony pushed Bend toward live service 2022 amid Concord/Fairgames disaster planning. Mirror Pond greenlit despite studio resistance – Days Gone team specialized single-player open worlds, not battle passes. Decima engine licensing added $20M overhead before first playable build.
June 2025 layoffs slashed 40% staff (40+ employees) post-cancellation. Sony statement confirmed live service pivot scrapped, Bend ‘transitioning new projects.’ Industry whispers suggest Days Gone spiritual successor or Last of Us Part 3 support role.
Days Gone 2 Forever Denied?
Days Gone launched 2019 to mixed reception – buggy launch overshadowed open-world zombie horde brilliance. Post-patch cult classic sold 9M copies, PS Plus revival proved demand exists. Sequel greenlit 2020, canned 2021 amid director conflicts and live service distraction.
Jeff Ross departed 2023 citing ‘corporate politics.’ Current Bend leadership favors fresh IP over zombie sequel. Mirror Pond failure burned live service bridges – studio returns single-player roots but Sony execs doubt Days Gone IP viability post-sequel’s near-death experience.
Sony’s Live Service Reckoning
Bend joins Sony’s live service graveyard – Concord ($400M loss), Fairgames (canceled), Firewalk (studio closed), Bungie layoffs. Mirror Pond cancellation aligned Bluepoint, Deviation Games, London Studio purges. Sony admits 50% live service success target unrealistic.
New Single-Player Pivot
Bend recruits for ‘premium single-player narrative’ utilizing Decima engine. Job listings demand horror expertise, open-world traversal, companion AI – Days Gone DNA repurposed. Whispers suggest Pacific Northwest setting avoiding zombie fatigue.
Community Demands Days Gone Redemption
r/GamingLeaksAndRumours erupted 890 upvotes celebrating live service death, mourning Mirror Pond potential. ‘Days Gone deserved better’ drew 420 agreement. Leaked animations showcase traversal rivaling Horizon – wall-running, motorcycle stunts, squad commands.
PlayStation Reddit begs sequel: ‘9M sales post-patches proves demand.’ Bend Twitter silent as leaks circulate. Sony PR scrambles damage control while fans compile Mirror Pond concept art from ex-developer portfolios.
What Comes Next for Bend
Single-player focus returns Bend strengths – Resistancesyphon Filter grit, Days Gone survival tension. Decima expertise positions studio uniquely versus Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch. Mirror Pond assets potentially recycle into premium campaign.
Sony’s live service retreat creates breathing room. Bend avoids Fairwalk fate but carries Days Gone baggage. New IP demands prove franchise viability or face support studio destiny like Bluepoint.
FAQs
What was Mirror Pond?
Bend Studio live service shooter built Decima engine. Military squad tactics, traversal focus, three years development before 2025 cancellation. Mocap animations leaked February 2026.
Why cancel Mirror Pond?
Ex-developer confirmed zero substantial progress despite $20M+ investment. Sony live service purge hit simultaneously. Days Gone director reportedly blocked project internally.
What happened to Bend staff?
40% layoffs June 2025 (40+ employees). Studio recruits single-player talent post-purge. Decima expertise preserved for new premium project.
Days Gone 2 status?
Canceled 2021 amid director conflicts, live service distraction. 9M sales proved demand too late. Spiritual successor possible but IP baggage heavy.
What engine Mirror Pond used?
Guerrilla Decima (Horizon Forbidden West). Wall-running, motorcycle physics showcased leaked animations. Premium single-player likely repurposes assets.
Bend’s next game?
Premium single-player narrative, horror elements, open-world traversal. Pacific Northwest setting rumored avoiding zombie tropes.
Sony live service future?Sony live service purge?
Concord ($400M loss), Fairgames canceled, Firewalk closed, Bend/Bluepoint purged. 50% success target admitted unrealistic.
Conclusion
Mirror Pond’s leaked animations reveal Bend Studio’s untapped potential wasted on Sony’s live service obsession. Decima traversal, military tactics screamed premium single-player DNA forced into battle royale mold. Cancellation frees Bend for spiritual Days Gone redemption or fresh horror IP leveraging mocap expertise. Sony learns expensive lesson as Bend rebuilds leaner, focused on strengths. Days Gone fans cling sequel hopes while industry celebrates another live service corpse.