Ex-Sony Bend Developer Critiques Sony’s 30th Anniversary Trailer
Former developer from Sony Bend and co-creator of “Days Gone,” John Garvin, has voiced concerns about the recent PlayStation 30th Anniversary trailer for omitting significant contributions from the studio.
Garvin’s discontent with Sony isn’t new, following his exit from Bend Studio. He has previously pointed fingers at Sony for factors like the reception of “Days Gone,” attributing its review scores to selective critics and technical issues present at launch. As recently as September, he expressed dissatisfaction over the portrayal of Deacon St. John, the protagonist from “Days Gone,” in an ad for Astro Bot, saying the character was reduced to a mere caricature.
Recently, Garvin targeted the PlayStation 30th Anniversary presentation, taking to social media with his critique: “It’s about…ignoring Sony Bend… it’s as if ‘Syphon Filter’ and ‘Days Gone’ never happened.”
“Days Gone,” released in April 2019 for the PlayStation 4, is set in a post-apocalyptic United States plagued by creatures known as Freakers. Players navigate this dystopian landscape as Deacon St. John, a biker tasked with enduring difficult conditions following an outbreak. Despite Garvin and his co-director Jeff Ross having left Sony Bend, the studio has been immersed in the development of a new intellectual property for the past half-decade.
The exclusion of Sony Bend’s notable creations like “Syphon Filter” and “Days Gone” from the 30th Anniversary celebrations has sparked discussions on the perceived overlook of certain franchises and studios that contributed significantly to PlayStation’s legacy. The discussions highlight ongoing tensions between former developers and the company’s current direction.
In the grand narrative of PlayStation’s evolution over three decades, such omissions have raised questions among fans and industry insiders alike, prompting debates on the criteria for acknowledging the platform’s rich history and diverse contributions across different eras and genres.
