Neil Druckmann: No Sequel Plans Due to Lack of Confidence

At the recent DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog and Cory Barlog from Sony Santa Monica engaged in a candid discussion about a topic that resonates deeply with many creatives: doubt. The hour-long conversation covered a range of subjects, from personal doubts about their creative abilities to the process of determining when an idea feels "right." They also tackled audience questions, with one notable query about character development across multiple games.

Druckmann's response to the question about sequels was particularly revealing. Despite his experience with sequels, he admitted that he doesn't plan for multiple games. "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 on the current project, rather than saving ideas for future installments. "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."

Ten-year payoffs

Druckmann elaborated on his approach, noting that even with the The Last of Us TV show, which he knows will span multiple seasons, he doesn't pre-plan sequels. Instead, he reflects on what's been done and considers unresolved elements and character arcs. "And if I feel like the answer is, they can't go anywhere, then I go, 'I think we'll just kill them off,'" he said, half-jokingly. He cited the example of Uncharted, where each game's direction was determined after the previous one, ensuring fresh narratives and avoiding repetition.

In contrast, Barlog revealed a more structured approach, likening his method to a "Charlie Day crazy conspiracy board" of interconnected ideas. He finds it rewarding to link current projects with plans set a decade earlier, though he acknowledges the stress and complexity involved. "It's just so magical, but it is absolutely, unequivocally the most unhealthy thing ever," Barlog admitted, highlighting the challenges of maintaining such long-term plans amidst changing team dynamics.

Druckmann responded, expressing a preference for focusing on the immediate future rather than planning years ahead. "I think for me that requires a level of confidence I just don't have," he said, emphasizing his approach of concentrating on the next few days rather than a decade down the line.

The reason to wake up

Throughout the fireside chat, Druckmann and Barlog delved into their experiences with doubt and their creative processes. They also shared insights into their current career perspectives. Druckmann, who has ventured into TV with The Last of Us, reiterated his passion for games. He recounted a humorous exchange with Pedro Pascal, who jokingly questioned Druckmann's appreciation for art. "It's the reason to wake up in the morning. It's why I live and breathe," Druckmann quoted Pascal, underscoring the profound love for their craft despite the challenges, including panic attacks and even death threats.

Druckmann turned the conversation to Barlog, asking about the point of feeling satisfied with one's achievements, especially in light of Ted Price's recent retirement. Barlog's response was introspective and candid: "Is it ever enough? The short answer's, no, it's never enough." He described the relentless drive to achieve more, likening it to climbing a mountain only to see another, taller one in the distance. "The demon just looks and goes, 'There's another mountain over there that's a lot taller,'" Barlog said, capturing the perpetual quest for new challenges.

Druckmann reflected on this, sharing a story about Jason Rubin's departure from Naughty Dog and how it created opportunities for others. He expressed a desire to eventually step back and allow new talent to take the helm, creating opportunities for others to innovate and grow. Barlog humorously concluded the talk by saying, "Very convincing. I'm going to retire."