Neil Druckmann: No Sequels Without Confidence

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 self-doubt, recognizing successful ideas, and approaching sequels.

Druckmann surprisingly revealed he doesn't plan sequels beforehand. He focuses intensely on the current project, treating each game as potentially his last. Any sequel ideas are organically incorporated, rather than pre-planned. He uses past work to identify unresolved elements and potential character arcs for future installments, even suggesting that if a character's journey is complete, they might be written out. He cited the Uncharted series as an example, where each game's direction was determined after the previous one's completion.

Barlog, conversely, employs a meticulously planned, interconnected approach, often linking current projects to ideas conceived years prior. He acknowledges this method's intense stress and the challenges of coordinating numerous individuals and shifting perspectives across multiple projects.

Druckmann expressed a lack of Barlog's confidence in long-term planning, preferring to concentrate on immediate tasks.

The discussion also touched upon the personal toll of game development. Druckmann shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as the driving force behind his work, highlighting the passion that fuels the process despite the inherent stress and negativity. He emphasized the immense privilege of working with talented individuals.

Barlog's response to Druckmann's question about the point of "enough" was raw and honest. He described the relentless drive of creative obsession, the feeling of never achieving complete satisfaction, and the immediate emergence of a new, larger goal upon reaching a previous milestone. This, he explained, is an intrinsic part of his creative process, despite the advice to slow down and appreciate achievements.

Druckmann echoed this sentiment but with a more measured tone, emphasizing the opportunities created by his eventual departure, allowing others to flourish. Barlog playfully responded with a statement of retirement, concluding the conversation.