At the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, 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 insecurities, discerning viable ideas, and the challenges of character development across multiple games.
Druckmann surprisingly revealed his approach to sequels: he doesn't plan them. He focuses intensely on the current project, treating each game as a standalone. While occasional sequel ideas emerge, he prioritizes fully realizing the present game's potential, rather than saving concepts for future installments. He explained his process for sequels involves revisiting unresolved elements and character arcs from previous games. If no compelling direction emerges, he considers concluding the character's story. He cited the Uncharted series as an example, emphasizing the iterative nature of their development.
Barlog, in contrast, described his meticulous, long-term planning, connecting current projects to ideas conceived years prior. He acknowledged the inherent stress and potential for conflict arising from this approach, given shifting team dynamics and evolving perspectives over time. Druckmann admitted he lacks the confidence to adopt Barlog's strategy, preferring to concentrate on immediate tasks.
The conversation extended to the emotional toll of game development. Druckmann shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as the driving force behind his work, a sentiment he deeply resonated with. He acknowledged the intense stress and negativity, including death threats, but emphasized his passion for game storytelling and the privilege of working with talented individuals.
Druckmann posed a question to Barlog regarding the point of creative fulfillment and the pressure to continually prove oneself, especially considering the recent retirement of Barlog's colleague, Ted Price.
Barlog's response was candid and introspective. He admitted that the drive for creation is relentless, an internal compulsion that persists even after achieving significant milestones. He described reaching the summit of a creative goal as both exhilarating and terrifying, as the internal "demon" of ambition immediately seeks the next challenge. He highlighted the difficulty of appreciating accomplishments due to this unceasing drive.
Druckmann echoed this sentiment but with a more measured tone, mentioning his intention to gradually reduce his involvement in day-to-day operations, creating opportunities for others to step up. He views his eventual departure as a catalyst for growth within Naughty Dog. Barlog, playfully, responded with a declaration of retirement.
