Neil Druckmann Discusses Occupational Fatigue and Future of Big Games
In a recent interview, Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, opened up about the challenges of managing multiple studios worldwide on some of the most ambitious games ever created. He expressed a desire to spend more time with his family and revealed that he does not see himself working at this scale forever.
“Ultimately, I don’t think I have many more games left in me,” Druckmann stated.
The Last of Us, released in 2013 to critical acclaim, and its sequel, The Last of Us Part II, launched under similar circumstances. Both games have been hailed as masterpieces and memorable feats that will be remembered in the history of gaming.
“That’s Neil Druckmann’s legacy – that and the creation of one of the best game-to-television live-action adaptations ever made,” remarked about the company.
Reflecting on Longevity as a Developer
“In a recent interview on the Logically Speaking podcast, Druckmann took a deep dive into his longevity as a developer, comparing himself to Quentin Tarantino at one point,” explained the interviewer.
While there is no concrete news about Naughty Dog’s current projects, it has been speculated that The Last of Us Part III is being worked on in some capacity. Actor Kai Kang, who played Yi Du in The Last of Us Part II, has previously stated that he is “existing” for the project.
“Following the cancellation of a set in The Last of Us’ universe, there’s plenty of scope for the studio to push out one more big-budget single-player title,” added an interesting perspective on potential future projects.
