Neil Druckmann, creative director of “The Last of Us” and “Uncharted 4,” said Naughty Dog’s next game could “redefine the general perception of gaming.”
In an interview released today at Sony’s strategy meeting, the studio head was asked what dream project he would like to see come to fruition. In response, Druckmann said he had already been “fortunate enough to work on several dream projects” before adding that he was “currently excited about a new one.”
This as-yet-unnamed project, says Druckmann, 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 a kid,” he explained. “This shift is evident in our foray into television with The Last of Us, which I hoped would bridge the gap between gamers and non-gamers. The success of the show has put gaming in the spotlight and illustrated the rich, immersive experiences it offers.”
“This visibility excites me not only for our current project, but also for the broader potential of games to engage a global audience. I’m excited to see how this new game is received, especially after the success of The Last of Us, as it could redefine the general perception of games.”
Although 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 appeal to audiences, and although Uncharted was a chart-topping success, it was.” “It’s important for our studio to start with a new franchise like The Last of Us to be innovative again,” said Druckmann during the interview. “Many companies would insist on holding on to profitable franchises, but [Sony’s] Culture and philosophy enable us to pursue new ideas.
“Art requires risk; you can’t plan perfectly and predict how successful it will be. I am incredibly grateful for that [Sony] trusts that we will use our past successes to explore entirely new creative avenues.”
There have long been rumors that a third installment in The Last of Us series will one day arrive, and Druckmann previously stated that the studio has written a story outline for Part 3 that he hopes “can see the light of day one day.” However, nothing has been confirmed as to what is in development.
Last year, Druckmann also stated that Naughty Dog was open to developing Part 3, but only if “[the team] can tell a compelling story with that universal message and statement about love,” as was the case with parts 1 and 2.
“With The Last of Us, it’s up to us whether we want to continue or not… If we don’t think of something, we’ll 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 be working on next, there was previously speculation 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, said he believes games will shift their focus to more immersive narratives and personalized player experiences over the next decade.
“Technological advances will increase the emotional depth of games by allowing characters to be much more emotional and expressive, enabling more impactful storytelling,” said the PlayStation executive. “This will help a whole generation of developers bring much more emotion to stories. The focus will shift from graphics or imagery to immersive narratives that resonate long after the controller is put down.”
“As for PlayStation’s role in this evolution, I see it as a community-defined goal and a commitment to high-quality, unexpected and unforgettable experiences.”
When asked what major advances he believes will impact storytelling across media in the coming decade, Qizilbash said technology will “democratize” it, making it more accessible to creators.
“Given the fidelity of video games today, there is an opportunity to reuse assets from games for animation and live-action films, leveraging Sony’s volumetric and virtual production capabilities,” he said. “Gaming engines like Unreal are expanding beyond games and used for virtual production, allowing developers to focus on storytelling rather than logistical constraints. This freedom encourages creativity and allows developers to focus on delivering compelling stories.
“Advances in AI will create more personalized experiences and more meaningful stories for consumers. For example, NPCs (non-player characters) in games could interact with players based on their actions, making the experience more personal.”
Qizilbash believes this is important for the younger audience. “This is the first generation that grew up digitally and is looking for personalization in everything and more meaningful experiences.”
To learn more, Sony today released a video detailing the company’s future plans for the next decade, including a possible glimpse of a concept for a futuristic PlayStation controller.