Bend Studio’s Next Co-Op Third-Person Game Coming in 2027

Reports suggest Bend Studio’s next game will feature third-person gameplay and co-op multiplayer, but the project is reportedly not being developed as a live-service title.

Bend Studio's next game is reportedly in the works as a third-person co-op title, giving us an early indication of what the PS studio might be up to after Days Gone. Reports say the next project will be co-op. There's not much detail on the project yet, but the co-op aspect has already generated interest, as it could be a significant part of Bend Studio's next big thing. However, co-op doesn't mean Bend Studio will turn its next game into a live service title.

The project isn't being built as a live service game in any case, which is a significant distinction from the vast majority of games these days, which are live services in nature. The co-op elements are apparently being incorporated into a more conventional game.

That's a very telling point given Sony's history of investment in live service titles. They've spent years building out their live service portfolio, and this next Bend Studio project seems to be going down a very different path. The third-person format also gives us a bit of an indication as to the game's overall structure, though there's very little at the moment in terms of setting, characters, story, or any of the actual systems that make up the game.

What makes the report more interesting is the progress the project has made. Rather than being several years away, Bend Studio's next game is actually well along. They're aiming for a 2027 release window, which implies they're considerably further along than we previously thought.

A 2027 target would still give the project plenty of time to change before launch (Bend Studio has yet to reveal the game in any real detail). Release dates can always shift for development reasons, so the quoted date shouldn't be taken as a definitive launch date.

For now, at least the mix of third-person gameplay with co-op multiplayer gives it an interesting identity without telling us much about what Bend Studio is actually going to build. The studio has a proven track record in creating large-scale third-person experiences. Introducing a co-op element could let them take their next title in a slightly different direction.

Equally, by eschewing the live service route, they may be aiming for a more contained experience rather than one committed to for years, with a constant stream of seasonal content and updates.

There's still a whole lot that we don't know. Bend Studio hasn't revealed the project details, so we don't know the story, the gameplay, the platforms, or the exact release date. Until they do, we should treat it as reporting. If the 2027 target actually holds, then fans won't have to wait too long to see what Bend Studio has been working on. For now, the studio's next game looks like a third-person co-op experience and clearly isn't going down the live-service route that's been the norm for so many recent multiplayer games.