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 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, identifying successful ideas, and the challenges of creating sequels.

One audience question focused on character development across multiple games. Druckmann surprisingly revealed he doesn't plan sequels in advance: "I never think about multiple games...I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game." He prefers to approach each game as a standalone project, incorporating ideas organically without saving them for future installments. He explained that for sequels, he assesses unresolved elements and character arcs, sometimes even concluding a character's journey with their demise. His approach to The Last of Us Part II, and the Uncharted series exemplifies this iterative process, focusing on avoiding repetition and exploring new narrative avenues. If a compelling new direction isn't apparent, he questions the viability of continuing the series.

Barlog, in contrast, employs a more meticulously planned, long-term approach, connecting current projects to ideas conceived years earlier. He acknowledged the inherent stress and potential for conflict arising from this strategy, given the evolving team dynamics and shifting perspectives over time. Druckmann admitted he lacks the confidence to adopt Barlog's method, preferring to concentrate on the immediate tasks at hand.

The discussion also touched upon the emotional toll of game development. Druckmann shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as "the reason to wake up in the morning," highlighting the passion that drives them despite the challenges, including negativity and even threats. He further discussed his eventual desire to step back from day-to-day operations, creating opportunities for others to thrive.

Barlog's response to Druckmann's question about the point of "enough" was candid and introspective. He admitted the relentless drive to create never ceases, describing the feeling of reaching a summit only to find another, taller mountain looming. This unending pursuit, he explained, is a fundamental aspect of his creative personality. The conversation concluded with Barlog jokingly suggesting retirement, a stark contrast to his inherent creative drive.