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 sequels.

One audience question focused on character development across multiple games. Druckmann surprisingly revealed he doesn't plan sequels beforehand: "I never think about multiple games," he stated. "I approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’" He prioritizes fully realizing the current project, incorporating ideas organically rather than saving them for future installments. This approach extends to most of his work, except for the Last of Us TV show's multi-season format. Sequels, he explained, involve revisiting unresolved elements and exploring new character directions. If no compelling path exists, he jokingly suggests, "I think we'll just kill them off." He cited the Uncharted series as an example, where each sequel's direction emerged organically from the previous game's conclusion.

Barlog, in contrast, confessed to a highly elaborate, interconnected planning process spanning years, even connecting current projects to ideas conceived a decade prior. He acknowledged the inherent stress and potential for disruption from team changes and evolving perspectives. Druckmann admitted he lacks the confidence for such long-term planning, preferring to focus on immediate tasks.

The conversation shifted to the driving forces behind their careers. Druckmann shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as "the reason to wake up in the morning," a sentiment he deeply resonated with. Despite the immense stress and negativity, he finds fulfillment in game creation, emphasizing the collaborative aspect and the privilege of working with talented individuals.

Druckmann posed a question to Barlog regarding the point of saturation, prompting a candid response about the insatiable nature of creative ambition. Barlog described the relentless drive as a "demon of obsession," pushing for constant achievement even after significant successes. He highlighted the difficulty of appreciating accomplishments, as the pursuit of the "next mountain" immediately takes precedence.

Druckmann echoed this sentiment, albeit more gently, mentioning his gradual disengagement from daily tasks to create opportunities for others. He envisions his eventual departure as fostering growth within Naughty Dog. Barlog's playful retort, "Very convincing. I’m going to retire," concluded the insightful discussion.