When players think about how various Naughty Dog titles and their sequels are connected and evolve, it’s easy to assume that everything must be meticulously planned out in advance. After all, storylines and character arcs need to flow seamlessly from one game to the next, right? Well, not quite.
As Neil Druckmann, head of Naughty Dog, revealed at the recent DICE Summit, he doesn’t plan sequels at all. In fact, he believes the process is so time-consuming that thinking about the next chapter while working on the current one is a distraction.
Naughty Dog’s unique approach to character and world-building
Over the years, Naughty Dog has built a reputation for creating worlds and characters so deeply connected to players that every action, every sequence carries a certain amount of weight and significance.
From the daring adventures of Nathan Drake in Uncharted to the emotional and heartbreaking journey of Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us, everything has meaning and adds a whole new layer to the story and character.
What makes the studio’s approach to these stories truly remarkable, though, is how the team behind them treats each title and its sequel as separate entities, each with its own life and creative direction.
As Druckamnn explained recently at the DICE summit (reported via IGN), the studio doesn’t get bogged down by planning sequels in advance while working on the original game.
I never think about multiple games, because I’m the game in front of us is so all consuming […] I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’…I’m not saving some idea for the future.
Instead, they focus on the present, crafting the best experience they can with the game in front of them. And when the time comes for a sequel, it’s not about revisiting a list of ideas, but rather about dissecting the prequel, analyzing where the characters have been and where their stories need to go.
It’s an approach that feels incredibly refreshing in an industry where franchises often stretch characters’ stories, sometimes well past their natural end. With this approach, if the character’s story feels complete and can’t go anywhere, as Druckmann said:
And if I feel like the answer is, they can’t go anywhere, then I go, ‘I think we’ll just kill them off. I’m half joking, but we just find the next game.
Even though it’s hard to see the beloved character get killed or disappear from the story, this method ensures that each story doesn’t just continue (for the sake of it) but evolves in meaningful ways, always challenging players to invest emotionally in the characters’ journeys.
This explains why Naughty Dog continues to captivate players, always surprising them with the next step in the narrative. It’s a brilliant approach that keeps their games feeling fresh, relevant, and, above all, deeply human.
The future of Naughty Dog
After hearing Druckmann’s insights on how Naughty Dog approaches its games and their sequels, it’s hard not to be excited about the future of the studio. The interview not only highlighted their unique approach to sequels but also showcased the dedication and passion the team puts into each project.
It’s clear that the studio is committed to pushing boundaries, ensuring that every game it releases feels fresh, innovative, and deeply connected to its characters and world.
The fact that they give 100% to every project, treating each title as its own unique experience proves that the studio isn’t in just it for the money, but for the art of creating something innovative and meaningful.
As for the fans of The Last of Us and Uncharted, they are looking forward to the studio’s next project with the utmost excitement. While the anticipation for the show’s next season is already high, this interview has also added new layers to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, an upcoming space adventure.
In the end, whether it’s new characters, new worlds, or perhaps revisiting some beloved ones with a fresh perspective, the studio’s approach ensures that whatever happens, the journey will be anything but predictable.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
