Neil Druckmann says new Naughty Dog title ‘could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming’

Uncharted 4 and Last of Us creative director Neil Druckmann has said Naughty Dog’s next title could “redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming”.

The studio’s parent company Sony used its corporate strategy meeting on Thursday to present its “Creative Entertainment Vision,” which it describes as its long-term vision for where it “wants to be in 10 years, with an eye towards future technological advances”.

In an interview published to coincide with today’s event, Druckmann was asked to share details about a personal vision or dream project he wants to see realised.

“I’ve been lucky to work on several dream projects and am currently excited about a new one, which is perhaps the most thrilling yet,” he said.

“There’s a growing appreciation for gaming that transcends all age groups, unlike when I was growing up. This shift is highlighted by our venture into television with The Last of Us, which I hoped would bridge the gap between gamers and non-gamers.

“The show’s success has spotlighted gaming, illustrating the rich, immersive experiences it offers. This visibility excites me not only for our current project but for the broader potential of gaming to captivate a global audience.

“I’m eager to see how this new game resonates, especially following the success of The Last of Us, as it could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.”

Naughty Dog has yet to announce its next game, and Druckmann has danced around its identity during recent interviews.

Last year, he suggested the studio would reveal its next game game closer to its release than has previously been the case, in a bid to combat “work-life balance issues” than arose from announcing what it was working on too soon.

Having previously acknowledged strong fan demand for The Last of Us Part 3, Druckmann recently confirmed that he has a concept for a third game in mind and thinks there will be one more chapter to the story.

However, he’s also spoken about wanting to try new things, and Sony’s willingness to let Naughty Dog do so. He returned to this subject during the new Sony interview.

“You have to take risks to find new ideas that connect with audiences, and even though Uncharted was a chart-topping success, it was important for our studio to innovate again with a new franchise like The Last of Us,” he said.

“Many companies would insist on sticking to profitable franchises, but SIE’s culture and philosophy empower us to pursue new ideas. Art requires risk; You can’t engineer perfectly and predict how successful it will be. I’m incredibly thankful that SIE trusts us to leverage our past successes to explore brand new creative avenues.”

In February, Druckmann said he’s started thinking seriously about when he might stop making blockbuster games.

Further reading

PlayStation exec predicts focus will ‘shift from graphics to immersive narratives’

“Technological advancements will enhance emotional depth in games” over the next decade

In an interview with rapper Logic, Naughty Dog’s president said he could envision himself transitioning to something more low-key, which enables him to continue being creative in a less stressful environment while also spending more time with his kids.

In another interview published alongside Sony’s strategy meeting today, a top PlayStation executive predicted that technological advancements in gaming will see the focus “shift from graphics or visuals to immersive narratives” over the coming decade.