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 recent DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog and Cory Barlog from Sony Santa Monica engaged in a candid discussion about a deeply personal topic: doubt. The hour-long conversation covered a range of subjects, from self-doubt as creators to discerning the validity of creative ideas. They also tackled audience questions, with one notable query directed at Druckmann regarding character development across multiple game sequels.

Surprisingly, Druckmann revealed that he doesn't plan for sequels while working on a game. "That's a very easy question for me to answer, because I never think about multiple games, because the game in front of us is so all-consuming," he explained. He emphasized the importance of focusing entirely on the current project, suggesting that thinking about sequels too early might jinx the process. Druckmann shared that while working on The Last of Us 2, he occasionally entertained ideas for potential sequels, but his primary focus remained on the game at hand. "I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here," he stated.

Druckmann further elaborated on his approach to game development, noting that sequels are approached by reflecting on what has been accomplished and what remains unresolved. He humorously mentioned the possibility of killing off characters if they have no further story to tell. "When we made Uncharted 1, we had no idea we would do the train sequence of Uncharted 2," he recalled, underscoring the importance of fresh ideas and avoiding repetition in sequels.

In contrast, Barlog described a more intricate planning process, likening it to a "Charlie Day crazy conspiracy board." He enjoys the magic of connecting current projects with long-term plans but acknowledged the stress and challenges of such an approach, especially with changing team dynamics over time.

The discussion also touched on their creative processes and personal motivations. Druckmann shared a poignant anecdote about directing Pedro Pascal for the TV adaptation of The Last of Us, highlighting the passion that drives them. Despite the stress and occasional negativity, Druckmann affirmed his love for game development: "It's the reason to wake up in the morning. It's why we do what we do."

The conversation took a reflective turn when Druckmann questioned Barlog about the sufficiency of their careers, referencing the retirement of their colleague Ted Price. Barlog responded candidly, expressing that the drive for more is never satisfied. "Is it ever enough? The short answer's, no, it's never enough," he admitted, describing the relentless pursuit of new goals as a "demon of obsession."

Druckmann concluded with a softer note, reflecting on the opportunities his eventual departure from Naughty Dog would create for others. He mentioned Jason Rubin's perspective on stepping back to allow others to rise, indicating his gradual withdrawal from day-to-day involvement in projects.

The session ended with Barlog humorously suggesting retirement, encapsulating the intense yet rewarding journey of game development shared by these two industry veterans.