The Last of Us Creator Neil Druckmann Says He Never Plans for Sequels: ‘That Requires a Level of Confidence I Don’t Have’

At the DICE Summit, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann and Sony Santa Monica's Cory Barlog discussed the pervasive theme of doubt in game development. Their hour-long conversation covered personal anxieties, creative processes, and the challenges of sequels.

A key difference emerged in their approaches to sequels. Druckmann revealed he doesn't plan multiple games simultaneously, focusing intensely on the current project. He views pre-planning sequels as potentially jinxing the present effort. Instead, he assesses unresolved elements and character arcs after a game's completion, determining future directions organically. If no compelling path exists, he's even suggested ending a character's story. This approach, he explained, guided the Uncharted series, where each installment built upon the previous one without a pre-conceived long-term plan.

Barlog, conversely, employs a far more elaborate, long-term planning strategy, connecting current projects to ideas conceived years prior. While acknowledging the inherent stress and potential for disruption from shifting teams and perspectives, he finds immense satisfaction in realizing these long-term visions.

The discussion extended to the emotional toll of game development. Druckmann shared an anecdote where actor Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as a life-driving force resonated deeply. He acknowledged the immense stress, including facing negativity and even threats, but emphasized his passion for game storytelling as the ultimate motivator.

Barlog's response to Druckmann's question about the point of "enough" was profoundly honest. He admitted the relentless drive within him never ceases, pushing him towards ever-greater challenges. Reaching a milestone only reveals another, taller mountain to conquer. This, he explained, is an intrinsic part of his creative process, a compulsion he can't control.

Druckmann, while sharing a similar sentiment, expressed a more measured approach, aiming to gradually reduce his direct involvement to foster opportunities for others. He cited Jason Rubin's advice upon leaving Naughty Dog, highlighting the space created for others to grow. Barlog, playfully responding to Druckmann's perspective, jokingly declared his intention to retire.