The Last of Us and Uncharted 4 creative director Neil Druckmann said Naughty Dog’s next game could “redefine the mainstream perception of gaming”.
In an interview shared today, which coincided with Sony’s corporate strategy meeting, the studio boss was asked what dream project he would like to pursue. In response, Druckmann said that he had already been “lucky enough to work on several dream projects”, before adding that he was “excited about the new one at the moment”.
This undisclosed project, Druckmann said, could be Naughty Dog’s “most exciting yet.”
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“Unlike when I was growing up, there is a growing appreciation for gaming that transcends all age groups,” he stated. “This shift is underscored by our attempt at television with The Last of Us, which I hoped would bridge the gap between gamers and non-gamers. The success of the show brought gaming into the spotlight and illustrated the rich and immersive experiences it offers.
“This visibility excites me not only for our current project, but also for the wider potential of gaming to engage a global audience. I look forward to seeing how this new game resonates, especially after the success of The Last of Us, as it could redefine the mainstream perception of gaming. “
While Druckmann’s words are vague, it doesn’t seem likely that this upcoming project will be The Last of Us Part 3. “You have to take risks to find new ideas that connect with audiences, and while Uncharted was a chart-topping success, Pro it’s important for our studio to innovate again with a new franchise like The Last of Us,” said Druckmann during the interview. “Many companies would insist on sticking to profitable franchises, but [Sony’s] culture and philosophy allow us to advance new ideas.
“Art requires risk; You can’t design perfectly and predict how it will be successful. I’m incredibly grateful for that.” [Sony] they trust us to use our past successes to explore entirely new creative avenues.”
A third The Last of Us installment has long been rumored to one day arrive, and Druckmann previously stated that the studio had a story outline written for Part 3 that he hoped “may see the light of day one day.” However, nothing has been confirmed to be developing.
Last year, Druckmann additionally stated that Naughty Dog is open to developing a part 3, but only if “[the team] can come up with a compelling story that has this universal message and declaration of love” like parts 1 and 2 did.
“With The Last of Us, it’s up to us whether we want to continue with it or not… If we can’t come up with something, 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 be working on next, it was previously speculated that the studio has its eyes on a fantasy-themed release.
Elsewhere during today’s conference, PlayStation Productions head of production and head of product at PlayStation Studios Asad Qizilbash said he believes games will focus on more immersive stories and personalized player experiences in the next decade.
“Technological advances will increase the emotional depth in games by allowing characters to be more emotional and expressive, and encourage more evocative storytelling,” said a PlayStation executive. “This will help a whole generation of creators create much more emotion in stories. The focus will shift from graphics or visuals to immersive stories that resonate long after the controller is put down.
“As for PlayStation’s role in this evolution, I see it as a community-defined destination and commitment to quality, unexpected and memorable experiences.”
When asked what major advancements he expects to affect storytelling across different forms of media in the coming decade, Qizilbash said technology will “democratize” it and make it more accessible to creators.
“Given the current level of video game fidelity, there is an opportunity to repurpose game assets for animation and feature films using Sony’s volume and virtual production capabilities,” he said. “Game 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 fosters 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 generation to grow up digitally and are looking for personalization across everything, as well as looking for experiences that have more meaning.”
Earlier today, Sony shared a video detailing the company’s future plans for the next decade, including a look ahead at one possible concept for a futuristic PlayStation controller.