Neil Druckmann, the co-studio head of Naughty Dog, which created The Last of Us and Uncharted, has denied comments he was reported to have made in a recent Sony interview.
The interview, released with this week’s Corporate Strategy Meeting, quoted Druckmann as saying that Naughty Dog’s next big game could “redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.” However, Druckmann stated on Twitter that he never said anything like that.
Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann Responds to Sony Interview
Druckmann explained that Sony edited his “rambling answers” to the questions, causing “some of my words, context, and intent to be lost.” He shared his full answer on Twitter.
This is not quite what I said. A short 🧵 pic.twitter.com/IgjPm1MwaH
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) May 25, 2024
In his complete response, Druckmann never actually says the sentence he was quoted as saying. The interview quoted him as saying: “I’m eager to see how this new game resonates, especially following the success of The Last of Us, as it could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.”
The closest he comes to that is after talking about the success of HBO’s The Last of Us and the Fallout TV show on Amazon Prime.
He says: “I think right now we’ve hit a tipping point where people realize ‘Oh my god, there are all these incredible experiences in games!’ So, I’m not only excited for this new game we’re making — and it’s something fresh for us — but I’m also excited to see how the world reacts to it.”
He continues: “Because of The Last of Us and the show’s success, even people outside of gaming are watching to see what we do next. I’m very excited to see the reaction to this new project — and I’ve already said too much. I’ll stop there.”
The new project at Naughty Dog is still a mystery, but we know they have at least two single-player games in the works after canceling The Last of Us Multiplayer. One of these might be The Last of Us 3, as Neil Druckmann mentioned he has a concept for it, but it is unlikely to be their next release.
Druckmann Teases New Naughty Dog Game: “Could Redefine Mainstream Perceptions of Gaming”
Druckmann’s comments have caused a lot of discussion online, especially in the video game community, where AI is a hot topic. Developers and gamers are worried about AI replacing things like voice acting and story design, but executives are pushing for it, saying it will change how games are made and save money.
In the same Sony series, Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and Product at PlayStation Studios, said AI in games is important for younger gamers who want everything to feel personalized.
“For example, non-player characters in games could interact with players based on their actions, making the game feel more personal,” Qizilbash said. “This is important for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who grew up with digital technology and want personalized experiences.”
Earlier this month, EA boss Andrew Wilson told investors that “more than 50% of our development processes will be positively impacted by advances in generative AI.”
Wilson, who oversees EA Sports FC, The Sims, and BioWare games, said AI will make game development “more efficient.” He mentioned that EA Sports FC developers can now create stadiums in six weeks instead of six months.
The Witcher voice actor Doug Cockle also expressed concern about AI in the gaming industry, calling it “inevitable” but “dangerous.” However, the biggest use of AI for voice acting so far has been by The Witcher studio CD Projekt Red, and this was only done to replace a deceased voice actor with permission from the family.
In March, Keywords Studios tried to create a game using only AI but failed because the technology couldn’t replace human talent.
“One key lesson was that while AI can speed up some processes, the best results can only be achieved by experts using AI as a powerful tool in their creative work,” Keywords said.
In the Druckmann interview, the Last of Us director hinted at Naughty Dog’s new game, saying it “could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.”