Bend Studio Praises Days Gone’s Astro Bot Cameo After Criticism From Ex-Director

Bend Studio Praises Days Gone's Astro Bot Cameo After Criticism From Ex-Director

Key Takeaways

  • Bend Studio praised Astro Bot after ex-director John Garvin criticised Deacon St. John’s inclusion in the game.
  • The studio’s response showed support for PlayStation’s legacy and distanced from Garvin’s remarks.
  • Deacon’s voice actor, Sam Witwer, also voiced excitement over the character’s appearance in Astro Bot

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say, the latest development in the gaming world has left me both entertained and baffled. The inclusion of Deacon St. John from Days Gone in Astro Bot is not just a nod to PlayStation’s legacy, but a testament to the interconnectedness of our beloved games.


Astro Bot, created by Team Asobi, is receiving much acclaim and is becoming a serious candidate for the top game of 2024.

The game incorporates numerous nods to different PlayStation games, such as the main character from Days Gone, Deacon St. John.

Nevertheless, a dispute emerged as John Garvin, former creative director of Days Gone, expressed his dissent towards the character Deacon’s presence in Astro Bot.

On Twitter, I voiced my disappointment, using the words “sad” to describe my feelings and calling out Bend Studio for not upholding the legacy of the iconic Days Gone characters.

Garvin added fuel to the fire by asserting that Deacon had become nothing more than a “caricature endorser” for the game Astro Bot, which he described as being relatively insignificant. This statement sparked criticism from fans, with many expressing their disagreement with his perspective.

Bend Studio responded indirectly, seemingly distancing themselves from Garvin’s statements.

The studio recently uploaded a photo on Twitter (using TopMob) featuring the Deacon Bot from Astro Bot, expressing their enjoyment while playing the game and encountering other members of the PlayStation Studios community during this exciting adventure.

A Clear Rebuttal From Bend Studios

Although Bend Studio’s post didn’t specifically reference Garvin, the timing and context suggested that the studio doesn’t hold similar views as Garvin.

The studio deliberately demonstrated their enthusiasm for Astro Bot, highlighting their appreciation for the game’s tribute to PlayStation’s rich history.

Additionally, Jeff Ross, the co-director, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm over Deacon’s appearance in Astro Bot. He even went as far as to say that it was “extremely cool” or “incredibly awesome,” as reported by TopMob.

Sam Witwer, the voice actor for Deacon, also expressed his approval. He appreciated the character’s appearance in the platformer and mentioned that he plans to buy Astro Bot as a result.

Garvin’s remarks have left people perplexed because Astro Bot is designed to honor PlayStation’s extensive past, a point that appears to escape Garvin’s critique. The inclusion of Deacon in the game underscores the significance of Days Gone within the PlayStation cosmos, something Garvin seems not to acknowledge.

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2024-09-13 15:38