Sacred Symbols+, Episode 162: Jeff Ross on Bend Studio, Days Gone, and Days Future

Great conversation!

Taylor

I think they introduced the daughter very well at the end of the last game. But they could make it a story of Cassie delving into Sully's greatest regret - the treasure he couldn't recover.

TheAlpineTreeline

Great talk!

Cameron

Me too. I think the new game will be about their kid, though.

Colin Moriarty

As much as I would be fine with an Uncharted spin-off centered around their child, I think digging into the origins of Sully's character would also be super dope. But who knows, maybe both scenarios are inevitable at some point anyhow. That franchise is far from being dead.

Kevin Cooper

Thank you. That's very kind. <3

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your kind words.

Colin Moriarty

Colin, I know you think very highly of Ryan over at IGN and I do as well with his interviews and coverage of things (He’s one of the few I will still watch on IGN) but your interview skills are exceptional. How you prepare a series of questions to cover all the areas that are noteworthy for whoever is being interviewed, to how you pivot during the conversation based on the responses you are getting. Your skills are impressive My Master. Appreciate you and Last Stand Media

Big Daddy

Wow what an awesome episode. I personally loved Days Gone. I hunted the platinum on the “no fast travel” mode (nerd flex) because I loved the motorcycle so much. I was so confused by all the discourse that had rolled out on Twitter, interviews, articles in regard to Jeff, Garvin, and the game. After this episode and hearing Jeff I’ve become a huge fan, what a humble dude. Looking forward to whats next when he finds the right project for himself!

James Barone

I thought he was an awesome interview subject, as well. Thanks for listening. =)

Colin Moriarty

I really appreciate how open he was to answering every question and how much detail he went into with them. You expect at least a little "I can't go into that" responses in an interview like this, but this delivered big time. Days Gone is a solid 8 in my book. Granted I played it last summer on PS5 at 1440p60 all patched up, but the game was beautiful and played great. I thought the writing was very poor but I enjoyed my 50+ hours more than Tsushima. Only problem I had with freakers was the dumb name. Just call them zombies. Hoards was a great idea and very unique.

illicit salt trade

If he comes back, I'll open it up to the audience.

Colin Moriarty

Wait no longer.

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

Maybe one day. =)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you.

Colin Moriarty

Fantastic interview

Man I'd love to see that Uncharted prequel game materialise

Mark ?️

This guy looks like Kane from command and conquer

Vitali S

Been waiting for this one...

illicit salt trade

Great interview! If you get him back on, it might be interesting to hear what he felt were the biggest shortcomings of Days Gone and how he planned on improving them.

Geno Felino

Me too.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for lsitening.

Colin Moriarty

Sad news. I still want to see Golden Abyss as part of an Uncharted collection.

Michael

Loved the syphon filter story!!! Such a Great interview!

Peter Pham

Indeed.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Yeah. =\

Colin Moriarty

Really interesting listen, big shame that it won’t be getting a sequel anytime soon

Dan Morgan

Based on the thumbnail I thought you finally got your big interview with Stone Cold Steve himself. Nice interview btw.

Liam Rogers

Days gone is one of my favorite PS4 games. Shame we won’t see a part 2. Toxic masculinity? straight white guy? Please stop with the “progressive” clap trap. It’s a video game dude!

Sam

Indeed.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

LOL.

Colin Moriarty

For sure.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for your support.

Colin Moriarty

I concur.

Colin Moriarty

Yeah. It's a shame that the power struggle turned out as it did.

Colin Moriarty

Would have been very cool.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks! =)

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. Although The Initiative is, well... not working out great.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

He definitely does.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for listening.

Colin Moriarty

Nice - this episode is being quoted in mainstream media.

The Devmeister

Finally! Haha

james glenn roten

This was great. I’d take Days Gone 2 or a Sully Uncharted any day. Col, when are we getting our Brookhaven Boys cuts? 😄

NeO JD

Loved his comment on creative synchronicity. I’m a big believe in that and/or a shared collective unconscious. I’m really into horror and write it, I find authors with similar inspiration and childhoods share a lot of the same ideas.

TL

I love hearing about what goes on behind the scenes, definitely would love to see more of these talks 😄 Great talk Colin 🥰

Gavin Newland

Jeff's idea for an uncharted game is so awesome.

Josef Barker

Been patiently waiting for this one❕Really interesting info about the state of the studio while trying to make Days Gone 2 with a power vacuum. Sounds like management at Bend was more to blame than Sony for the sequel not happening (in addition to things he said on Jaffe’s show). Also, an Uncharted with a young Sully sounds awesome‼️ Wish we could have seen that.

Josh Lucas

Great interview. I was happy to see Jeff not throw Sony under the bus, and he explained the events well. We all had our own conspiracies and judgements of what happened. I personally had my opinions changed. The Young Sully game he pitched sounds perfect, and how did that not get green lit?

Benjamin Schultz

LSM is on a roll! What an inightful interview, and he was so candid the entire time, made the conversation flow naturally.

Jason K

Great conversation. Interesting hearing him talk at the end about wanting to work with a core group of people to explore the games vertical, before bringing in a team to build it out horizontally. Sounds exactly what MS has done with The Initiative, who brought in Crystal Dynamics last year. Anyway really enjoyed the insights, great job Colin.

Andrew McGregor

The "Happy new year" is such a subtle reminder of how good the content has been recently that this had to keep getting pushed. Great job guys 👍🏻

James Schubert

This was an excellent conversation! Jeff seems like such a nice guy and speaks really eloquently about games. This guy knows his shit.

Will Hahn

As always a great episode of SS+ Jeff Ross seems like a genuine guy and you can tell how much he respects not only his own work, but everyone who made it a reality, Sony included. I feel bad that people mistook the tweet as an attack rather than just someone who wants to be acknowledged for their accomplishments. I’ve had Days Gone download from when it was free on PS+ and this has made me want to give it a go!

Conor Tickner

Thank you. <3

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

I have my doubts.

Colin Moriarty

Hell yeah brother

sam croese

Definitely an interesting story. I have a feeling Days Gone 2 will be made.

Brandon Soto

It’s amazing how differently people can come across, and how much they share when they’re interviewed by somebody who 1. knows what they’re talking about and 2. understands how people work. As gaming interviewers, you and McCafferty are really still in a league of your own.

Tick Dickler

Thank you. <3

Colin Moriarty

Me too. I'm confident he will.

Colin Moriarty

I concur.

Colin Moriarty

Awesome, thank you!

Colin Moriarty

They could still be building. But it appears Jeff lost the power struggle.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! It's appreciated.

Colin Moriarty

I'm glad they ignore us. =)

Colin Moriarty

I should have asked.

Colin Moriarty

Really enjoyed this interview. I didn’t know much about Jeff beforehand, so it was great to hear his story. He came off as a likable guy from humble origins. The BTS of working with Bend and Sony were interesting as well. I want that Sully game too! I wish Jeff the best in his next venture. Well done, sir. 🤝

Justin Lane

Awesome interview. I love these looks behind the curtain of game dev and the thought of a horde of Gabe’s in an early build made me laugh. I hope Jeff finds his next passion project and kicks it out of the park, he seems like an awesome dude.

Ryan Taylor

Wow a sully uncharted game sounds incredible

shouty33

Colin, this was one of my favourite interviews of SS+. I’ve long wanted to work in game dev so I found this candid conversation insightful and entertaining. Thanks.

Benjamin Sagar

Same here, the consistent quality is just unparalleled.

Tristen Wilbers

This was a great episode. Ross seems like a very nice guy as well. It's a shame what happened to them because I feel like they were growing and building to be an elite studio in the Sony family. Golden Abyss was good and I really loved Days Gone (I beat it twice). I wouldn't be surprised if it develops that "cult-like" status in years to come. I am still looking forward to what comes next from Bend. Kind of makes me want to go the mall and buy an airbrush shirt "Days Gone: gone but not forgotten". LOL I get a kick every time I see an airbrushed shirt.

Mitchell Lundsberg

I feel like everytime I comment on these episodes I'm always saying it's one of the best episodes ever. But the insight behind this interview is so captivating. I stopped what I was doing to finish it. YOU KEEP FUCKIN KNOCKING IT OUT OF THE PARK COLIN!

Benito

This was my favourite interview yet. Its a damn shame Sony ignores you and the industry PR machine is so tight lipped. This was a way more interesting and endearing listen than just a PR hype piece. I think studios and those who work in them could benefit from being able to tell their stories more freely.

Phil Walker

Fantastic interview. Idk if I wasn’t paying attention or it wasn’t asked/already known, but why did they change the name from Dead Don’t Ride to Days Gone???

Red Head Redemption

Wait no longer.

Colin Moriarty

I hope he gets back into things, too, gets some funding and makes something great.

Colin Moriarty

Great episode Col. I love when you do interviews like this, I hope Ken Levine drops by sometime soon. I was super stoked to hear how Ross was cutting a lot of useless and dumb features and really honing in on making a great game. It’s a shame his boss made him feel like a failure when he wasn’t. I hope he enjoys his time off and goes on to create his own IP with a smaller team like Ken is doing. It would be cool to see what he could create post days gone

Kenneth Oms

=)

Colin Moriarty

Finally, a breather.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Yes!

Colin Moriarty

Not as far as I remember, no. I don't even remember the story that well.

Colin Moriarty

Been waiting for this one!!!

Curtis (Bloobat)

Enjoy.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your patience.

Colin Moriarty

*yet

Tonys_Always_Write

FINALLY

Devon

Finally, a week without acquisitions to allow this to be published haha 😄. Looking forward to listening!

Monterey Jack

Fuckin' finally. 😆😁

Jose Cantu

It’s finally here!!!!

Nathan

Excited to listen! Dumb question: does the podcast spoil the game? I haven't finished it

Marc Elfering

This is the big boy I’ve been salivating for

dharmapolice

Awesome!! Been waiting for this one! Haha

Mitch Orobko