Neil Druckmann, creative director of The Last of Us and Uncharted 4, has said that Naughty Dog’s next game could “redefine the mainstream perception of gaming.”
In an interview shared today at Sony’s corporate strategy meeting, the studio head was asked what dream project he would like to see realized. In response, Druckmann said that he has been “lucky enough to work on several dream projects already”, before adding that he is “currently excited about a new one”.
This undisclosed project, Druckmann said, could be Naughty Dog’s “most exciting yet.”
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“There is a growing appreciation for gaming that transcends all age groups, unlike when I was growing up,” he explains. “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 put a spotlight on gaming and illustrates the rich, immersive experiences it offers.
“This visibility excites me not only because of our current project, but also because of gaming’s broader potential to captivate a global audience. I’m curious to see how this new game resonates, especially after the success of The Last of Us, as it changes mainstream perceptions of gaming.”
While Druckmann’s words are vague, it doesn’t seem likely that this upcoming project is The Last of Us Part 3. “You have to take risks to find new ideas that resonate with audiences, and even though Uncharted was a great success, it was important for our studio to innovate again with a new franchise like The Last of Us,” Druckmann said during the interview. “Many companies would stick with profitable franchises, but… [Sony’s] culture and philosophy allow us to pursue new ideas.
“Art requires risk; you can’t perfectly engineer and predict how successful it will be. I’m incredibly grateful for that [Sony] trusts that we will leverage our past successes to explore brand new creative avenues.”
There have long been rumors that there will be a third installment in The Last of Us series at some point, and Druckmann previously stated that the studio had written a storyline for Part 3 that he hoped “will see the light of day one day.” However, nothing has been confirmed yet in development.
Last year, Druckmann additionally stated that Naughty Dog is open to developing Part 3, but only if “[the team] can create a compelling story that has this universal message and statement about love,” as she did with parts 1 and 2.
“With The Last of Us, it’s up to us whether we want to continue with it or not… If we can’t figure something out, we have a very strong ending with Part 2 and that will be the end,” Druckmann said at the time.
As for what Naughty Dog might work on next, it was previously speculated that the studio was eyeing a fantasy-themed release.
Elsewhere during today’s conference, Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and head of product at PlayStation Studios, stated that he believes games will shift their focus to more immersive storytelling and personalized player experiences over the next decade.
“Technological advances will increase the emotional depth in games by allowing characters to be much more emotional and expressive, promoting more evocative storytelling,” the PlayStation executive said. “That will help a whole generation of creators to create so much more emotion in the stories. The focus will shift from graphics or images to compelling stories that resonate long after you put down the controller.
“As for PlayStation’s role in this evolution, I see it as a destination defined by its community and a commitment to quality, unexpected and memorable experiences.”
When asked what major developments he expects to impact storytelling in different forms of media over the next decade, Qizilbash said technology will “democratize” it and therefore make it more accessible to creators.
“With video game fidelity at such a high level, there is an opportunity to reuse game assets for animation and live-action films, taking advantage of Sony’s volumetric and virtual production capabilities,” he said. “Gaming engines like Unreal are expanding beyond games and being used for virtual production, allowing creators to focus on storytelling rather than logistical constraints. This freedom promotes creativity and allows creators to focus on delivering compelling stories.
“Advances in AI will create more personalized experiences and meaningful stories for consumers. For example, NPCs (Non Player Characters) in games can interact with players based on their actions, making it feel more personal.”
This is something Qizilbash believes is important for younger audiences who are “the first generations who grew up digitally and are looking for personalization in everything, and are also looking for experiences to be more meaningful.”
For more information, Sony shared a video earlier today detailing the company’s future plans for the next decade, including a preview of a possible concept for a futuristic PlayStation controller.