Neil Druckmann Says Naughty Dog Doesn’t Think About Sequels

Naughty Dog is an iconic video game development studio. With several incredible hits and multiple sequels, it’s a wonder how they go about making a series. Some might assume that storylines are planned out well in advance. But that’s not the case, as the studio strives to focus on only one game at a time, according to Neil Druckmann.

Neil Druckmann is the studio head and head of creative at Naughty Dog. They also helped bring out some of the biggest franchises, such as Uncharted and The Last of Us. Both of these franchises have sequels; in the case of Uncharted, there are multiple games in the franchise. So, thanks to PSU, we’re finding out that while at DICE, the question came up about how Neil Drucmann handles a series of games, and Neil reveals he doesn’t plan out sequels.

Instead, during the conversation, Neil noted that they work hard to ensure that they bring every good idea into the game project. Nothing is thought up about where the storyline will go or some of the set pieces they’ll be using for another game.

The game in front of us is so all consuming. I think you’re jinxing yourself if you’re starting to think about the sequel when you’re working on the first game. So when I was making The Last of Us 2, yeah, sure. Every once in a while an idea pops in your head of where it might go if we get the chance to do another one. But I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’ …I’m not saving some idea for the future. If there’s a cool idea, I’m doing my best to get it into here. – Neil Druckmann

Taking this approach, the developers are working through the game as if this is the last one. However, he did state that every once in a while, such as when making The Last of Us Part 2, there is some consideration about where the story could go if they have the chance to do another one. Still, the main focus is bringing out the best game possible and leaving nothing off the table for a follow-up release.

Naughty Dog is currently working on its next IP release instead of a sequel installment. Players interested in where Naughty Dog goes next will be sitting in on a science fiction action-adventure title called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t have a release date yet, but you can find a trailer for the upcoming title in the video embedded below.