Neil Druckmann: 'No Sequel Planning for 'The Last of Us''

At the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann and Sony Santa Monica's Cory Barlog engaged in a candid discussion about doubt in game creation. Their hour-long conversation covered personal anxieties, creative processes, and the challenges of sequels.

A surprising revelation came from Druckmann regarding his approach to sequels: he doesn't plan them in advance. He focuses intensely on the current project, treating each game as a standalone experience. While occasional sequel ideas might surface, he prioritizes fully realizing the current game's potential, rather than saving concepts for future installments. He illustrated this with his work on The Last of Us Part II, emphasizing his "what if this is the last one?" approach. Sequels, he explained, emerge from examining unresolved elements and character arcs in previous games. If no compelling direction exists, he suggests the characters' narrative might conclude. His approach to Uncharted, he explained, was similarly organic; each iteration built upon the previous one, exploring new avenues for the characters.

Barlog, in contrast, described a meticulously planned, interconnected approach, likening his process to a complex conspiracy board. He enjoys connecting current projects to ideas conceived years prior. While acknowledging the inherent stress and potential for disruption from evolving team dynamics and changing perspectives, he finds this long-term planning incredibly rewarding.

Druckmann expressed a lack of Barlog's confidence in long-term planning, preferring to focus on the immediate tasks at hand. He highlighted the intense pressure and stress involved, yet emphasized his deep love for game development as the driving force behind his work. He shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as "the reason to wake up in the morning," a sentiment he strongly resonated with.

The conversation also touched upon the question of when enough is enough. Barlog candidly described the relentless drive fueled by internal obsession, even after achieving significant success. He likened it to reaching a mountaintop only to see another, taller one beckoning. This compulsion, he explained, is a fundamental part of his nature.

Druckmann echoed this sentiment but with a softer tone, mentioning his intention to gradually reduce his involvement in day-to-day operations, creating opportunities for others to rise within Naughty Dog. He cited Jason Rubin's advice upon leaving the company, emphasizing the opportunities created by departures.

The conversation concluded with Barlog's humorous, yet perhaps not entirely facetious, declaration of retirement, in response to Druckmann's perspective.