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...I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game." He approaches each game as a standalone project, incorporating ideas as they arise without saving them for future installments. Sequels, he explained, involve revisiting unresolved elements and character arcs. If a character's story feels complete, he's even joked about ending their journey. The creative process for him is iterative, looking back at previous games to inform the next, ensuring originality and avoiding repetition. He cited the Uncharted series as an example, where each game's narrative direction evolved organically.

Barlog, in contrast, employs a meticulously planned, long-term approach, connecting current projects to ideas conceived years prior. He acknowledged the inherent stress and potential for conflict arising from this method, given the shifting teams and evolving perspectives over time. Druckmann admitted he lacks the confidence for such extensive foresight, preferring to focus on immediate tasks rather than long-term planning.

The discussion also touched upon their personal motivations. Druckmann emphasized his enduring passion for game development, citing Pedro Pascal's words: "It's the reason to wake up in the morning. It's why I live and breathe." He acknowledged the immense pressure and negativity but ultimately finds fulfillment in creating games with talented individuals.

Barlog's perspective on career longevity was more complex. He confessed that the drive to create is insatiable, a relentless "demon of obsession" that pushes him forward, even after achieving significant milestones. This relentless pursuit, he admitted, often prevents him from fully appreciating his accomplishments. Druckmann, while sharing a similar sentiment, expressed a more gradual approach to stepping back from the day-to-day pressures, aiming to create opportunities for others to flourish. Barlog's final, wry comment, "Very convincing. I’m going to retire," provided a humorous conclusion to their insightful conversation.