Uncharted 4 Game Director Justin Richmond Leaves Naughty Dog

IGN: "Justin Richmond, who was working on Uncharted PS4 as game director, has left developer Naughty Dog."

[leemo19]

Geez it seems like everyone is leaving the companies they work for this gen.

[OlgerO]

I cant lie, I thought all these articles where rediculous, but I have to admit im starting to get a little bit worried

[amnalehu]

It is starting to get a little crazy. On the other hand, its not like any of these people are going to stop making great games. A great game is a great game. Whether its made by ND, Riot games, PS$, or XB1 its doesnt really matter that much to me. Also, with the success they have had, I'm sure their careers are far from over.

[Eonjay]

Don't. He has been working on Uncharted for some time and has made it clear that he is leaving the company on good terms to pursue a leadership role at Riot. And thats fair enough. He obviously left his project in good hands and gave the team his blessing.

Sounds like he was offered a job (probably with a higher pay grade) and he decided to pursue a new project. He has several hit games under his belt so he is very attractive to studios trying to go to the next level.

All I can say is that he doesn't seemed worried about the team at all and even added that he expects them to continue creating great content.

[abzdine]

this is becoming too much to bear, we need a word from SONY and NOW!

[NewMonday]

I think their is still more to come, by now their is no doubt a big reformation is going on at Sony 1st party studios, they need a good showing at E3 to reassure fans.

edit:
some rumors and probable explanations..
http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

[miyamoto]

Don " Nuclear Sub" Mattrick started this trend when he left Xbox One after that launch! LoL

[MysticStrummer]

People can get worried about things like this, but they also need to realize that success brings opportunity, and often bigger paychecks.

[HiddenMission]

@Eonjay

The thing is Riot games along with MS were just at GDC saying that plot isn't important to games anymore...big deal since he just was working on the Uncharted and The Last of Us series.

Does this mean he agrees or that he will turn their mind around on this subject...very interesting to say the least.

[NewMonday]

famousmortimer spilling lots of beans on the subject of Sony layoffs @neogaf, I'm sure Abriael is working on a summery.

[maniacmayhem]

@OlgerO

Worried about what? You really think Sony will shut down PS4 and all game production because of this?

You guys are being ridiculous, people leave all the time. Sony has invested a lot of money and time with PS4, they are ramping up PSNow, they just unveiled their VR headset.

Seriously, what is there to be worried about?

[purpleblau]

something must be going on inside the company. Those leaves sound just too fishy to not believe it.

[Eonjay]

@HiddenMission

I don't think so. I think this has more to do with money than anything else.

[nukeitall]

The mass exodus from Sony is pretty bad. Key people are leaving in droves. Despite what they claim, it is all political, because you don't want to upset people that you might have to work with again.

[UltimateMaster]

Well, PlayStation is undergoing the re-structuring to improve their overall company.

[mewhy32]

Whats the deal with all the people leaving Sony's studios?

[frostypants]

Uncharted 3, which this same guy directed, kind of sucked relative to Uncharted 2. Let's be honest. This guy being off the project isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Dark11]

There is something going on with sony , it no longer can be downplayed

this won't end well.

the future for ND isn't bright if this keep happening

@Team_Litt

10/10 Bubble up +

@-Superman-

sony should try selling their one studios to MS or EA .. it's better than laying off employees.

sony get money and people keep their jobs
it's win win.

[Ezz2013]

@dark11

i like you
you seem very fair and unbaised
i always see you in all sony articles saying how you feel
but sadly, we never see you do the same in most microsoft's xbox bad news and articles....we deserve more of your amazing comments

and you seem to know what to do more than any one else including sony and microsoft

every one should listen to you
i will get Kaz and shu on the phone right now

[speedforce131]

You're an idiot. Just another jackass that wants Sony to sell their studios so they can get their games on Xbox. How about you stop being a goddamn fanboy and buy the right console to play the games on? But wait, that makes sense, Xbox fanboys don't have any sense.

[M-M]

Dark11 is the perfect example of a troll that uses controversial news stories to aid him in his trolling lol.

[mhunterjr]

There's no way Sony would sell studios to MS. But typically when folks are layed of, they do provide exit counseling, which helps employs find jobs at other developers.

[Tony-A]

LMFAO!

Dude, you realize it's March this month, right? It's the end of the fiscal year, this stuff happens every year around this time, especially on the tail end of a major console release.

Yeah, some of these layoffs are fishy, but 90% of them are done due to re-evaluating a company's fiscal goals and budgets for the year.

Hard to imagine a multi-billion dollar conglomerate suffering because they're releasing some people... you know that means there's less people they need to pay, right?

The bottom line is this - sure, every developer needs a leader, but a AAA title isn't done by just one or two people. Its like the Amy Henning story; to think that she just wrote a one-off draft of the Uncharted script and it made it straight into the game is insane. There are many other hands in the pie when it comes to big titles.

[ZodTheRipper]

Trolls seem to love these kind of news.

[ramiuk1]

no way,the gaming industry is having a shakeup as usual, few more than i would like but all the talented people will walk into new studios,create own etc,just alot of projects coming to end and people having a new drive/genre they want to explore.
would of prefered them to just expand into studios and keep undfer sony umbrella but it isnt the end for them.
We never really hear of all the people they take on,just the ones u leave.
its the way the media thrives of something they can make sound bad.

happened for years just wasnt as reported.

[MysticStrummer]

"@Team_Litt

10/10 Bubble up +"

That pretty much says it all about you. No need to read anything else you post.

[Genuine-User]

"Connecting dots where they don't need to be connected.

Stig and his team spent almost 100 million dollars on a game that failed every QA test that took. The game sucked. They shitcanned the game and a lot of the people involved. They offered stig a spot on barlog's project - he didn't want to go from game director to something lesser so he quit.

This makes sense, right? Shitty game, money wasted, people fired, head guy leaves out of ego? I mean that all makes sense.

Amy Hennig has creative differences about the direction that UC4 should go in. Egos swell, she leaves. She's happy, she will make another studio much better when she gets there. Justin Richmond, an ally of Hennig's, gets an offer he can't refuse from Riot. He leaves.

These things happen. Naughty Dog is going to be fine. UC4 will still be awesome. Riot will be better with the pickup of Richmond and whoever gets Hennig will be better off. The sky isn't falling.

Guerilla Cambridge is working on a vita game that is shit and won't sell. They slim down as they retool for another project.

Again - this isn't new. This happens a lot.

The director of Driveclub doesn't deliver the game on time. Given more time the game still needs work. He is replaced.

Wouldn't you replace him? Wouldn't you shitcan stig's project that cost them almost 100 mil and had nothing of value to show for it? In fact they should have done it two years ago. The fact they let it go this far is a testament to how much they believed in him after GoW 3.

And all of this is happening before the fiscal year ends. Is sony trimming fat? Of course. Sony corporation is not in a great spot. So they are tightening up a bit. But a lot of people are connecting dots that don't need to be connected. Hennig/Richmond is about creative differences and ego. Stig is about wasted money and time. Col Rogers (driveclub) is about failing to deliver. Taken on their own they all make sense. Combine them together and you get glenn beck with a chalkboard.

And Jack Tretton was about money and inability to move up. He will make more money and have more power somewhere else - something Sony simply could not offer him. Shit happens.

It's the same with the xbox department guys. People move around. People leave for other companies. Shit happens. "

Source - famousmortimer

[chickenface]

"The future for ND isn't bright" lol so jealous stealth troll. stealth troll soooo sad that xbone hast got the ND.

[Beastforlifenoob]

It's funny that whatever news in this case neutral is spinned to look negative...

What if this benifited not only the company but also the quality of the games?

I will see weather this has done good when Uncharted 4 comes down.

[frostypants]

They let the guy who was responsible for the relatively underwhelming Uncharted 3 go. Seems like an OK move to me.

[frostypants]

Still haven't seen any proof that people are switching companies this gen more than at any other time.

[Frankfurt]

Not "companies". Just Sony.

6 people in TWO MONTHS (2 from naughty, 2 from SSM, tretton and the sucker punch lead).

That is NOT NORMAL.

Add the 15000 lay-offs, 40 stores closed, 3 years in a row losing billions, selling their main building, and you have more than smoke. You have fire.

[ZodTheRipper]

^And it's good that Sony is taking action to keep the business afloat. If that means laying people off then so be it. In this case, it's not a layoff though - he left on his own will.

[-Superman-]

1)Uncharted' writer and director Amy Hennig leaves Naughty Dog, reportedly forced out

2)Brian Karis leaves Naughty dog

3)Infamous: Second Son lead designer leaves Sony

4)PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale lead game designer leaves Sony Santa Monica

5)God of War Dev Stig Asmussen Leaves Sony Santa Monica

7)Sony America CEO Jack Tretton Steps Down

7)Superbot layoff

8)Sony Santa Monica layoff

9)Layoffs at Evolution Studios

10)Layoffs at Guerrilla Games

11)Layoffs at SCE London

12)Col Rodgers Is No Longer DriveClub's Game Director

[supes_24]

Omg, that lost literally makes me a little worried about the future of these companies quality of games in the future. I love my PS4 and losing these top people is worrisome.

[thejigisup]

So we've got 12 major moves and fb bought oculus rift, pretty sure it's the beginning of the end of the world folks. I blame global warming.

[zebramocha]

You got that wrong,superbot were a second party studio contracted to make pasbr,the people at ssm plus stig were working a game for 3+ years and from what was reported it wasn't doing well so it got nixed,nothing happened to evolution there was an update that did not make it on n4g but appeared on neogaf,GG games wasn't affected but GG Cambridge the people responsible for kz ps vita and Sony from what I've seen on gaf were restructuring their studios starting with scej and I guess working there way down.

[liquidhalos]

I think for the sake of the customers who bought a ps4 based on sonys sterling first party reputation that Sony should say something to put our minds at ease. It is genuinely concerning to me that so many people have gone. Hopefully things are made clearer for us customers sooner rather than later.

[TOTSUKO]

From a business perspective, it is best to cut loose or not pay the more expensive high profiled developers. It's tough to let go a proven talent of developers but this industry is always demanding innovation. A new generation with fresh and innovative ideas at a cheaper cost.

It is for the sake of the future!

Greatness Awaits!

[Pogmathoin]

There is a lot of people in this industry, I am sure, for the talented people, there are many offers that cannot be refused, and also have families to consider as well.... Would not look into all the recent changes, departures, its just life.....

[Ghoul]

Well tbh this happpens and happend all the time and will happen all the time.

Peoples lives change and so do theyre Interesets and Jobs, its a ever changing process,

oh and the higher you get the most likely you switch, since your offered new oppurtunitys wich you then take.

Well until your in the top 5% of a company those are meant to stay longer since the benefit grows exponentially when you reached the "share" part in a company.

the only difference is that gaming "journalism" suddenly thinks those shifts in positions are the implication of something "big" goin on.

Actually they just try o imply a story behind a regular normal sheme, in the hopes to hit something....

its totally annoying and only servers the sole purpose of content no matter how irrelevant

p.s. see Dark11 below....

[andibandit]

In the 7 years ive been into console gaming ive never seen anything like this happen. I guess it happens alot on planet defense.

[Ghoul]

i dont understand what you mean ?

if you think i defended anything your blind......

[Illusive_Man]

Yea but only at Sony.

[Evilsnuggle]

This one I have a problem with Uncharted 2 multiplayer was my favorite multiplayer of all time. I love UC2 multiplayer if Justin Richmond was responsible for that than he will really be missed. I think that Uncharted need a reboot it's to campy and slap stick for my taste. I was disappointed that ND is working on Uncharted 4 instead of The Last Of Us two. I hope that ND is Rebooting Uncharted Like many think a pre sequel Maybe. I hope A Pre sequel to uncharted maybe pirates In the 1700 would breathe new life in the series.

[LexHazard79]

Nah, if I want a pirate game I'll play AC4. What they need to do is something like "National Treasure" bring that adventure to the city!

[Last_Boss]

I really have no good or bad opinion on this mass Western exodus. I just know this looks like the exact shift that the Japanese developers went through post PS2.

Let the cards play out.

[mp1289]

Infinity ward replaced almost everybody, yet COD sold better than ever. Just saying, sales of games like Uncharted most likely won't be effected. But the franchise is in danger of becoming repetitive in the future.

[Razmossis]

Happens around this time EVERY YEAR
Trim fat, hire new talent

[Pon4]

Umm only Sony is this happening too go figure ...Sony financials are way way down lol...go Xbox One you beast

[MUGEN81]

You mean Sony's game dev companies.

[PudgeySan]

I think some of it is people are now watching for people to quit or be let go. Each name seems to be some big guy that you never heard of or heard of once until you read an article of someone being let go with the exception of a few. I am sure if you monitored any studio you might find the same thing or something similar. This might also be the studio letting it's younger talent move up kinda like kojima did with his other team. I wouldn't worry to much. Sony isn't going to release a console and shut down it's studios. Wouldn't be the best business plan.

[CuddlyREDRUM]

Lukas, you are looking really stupid right now.

[gameon1985]

Nah, everyone is just leaving Sony for some reason this gen.

[Loadedklip]

More like Sony's ...

[Blaze929]

Not good when a game keeps switching directors. Literally look at the progression of God of War games starting with David. IMO went downhill after each game and director switch.

[Nyxus]

Wow, another one? What's going on? :/

[NegativeCreep427]

I don't think all of these layoffs and people just "leaving* isnt a coincidence. I believe sony is conducting some major shake up or restructuring.

[hkgamer]

I'm guessing it has to do with money.

Sony hasn't got any and working for these big studios/companies will never make you big money compared to getting lucky with a smaller company.

[Dark11]

Maybe they are just jumping from the ship?

i agree with hkgamer.
they should try selling their one studios to MS or EA .. it's better than laying off employees.

sony get money and people keep their jobs
it's win win.

casualties List:

Amy Hennig (Creative Director) of Naughty Dog
Justin Richmond (Creative Director) of Naughty Dog
Col Rodgers (Creative Director) of Evolution Studios
Stig Asmussen (Creative Director) of Sony Santa Monica
Jaime Griesemer (Lead Designer) of Sucker Punch
60+ Employees of Sony Santa Monica
Employees of Evolution
Employees of Guerilla
Employees of SCE London
Seth Killian
Jack Tretton as President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America

[Ghoul]

@Dark11

please scroll up a little and read my comment

@Negative

or it was allways like that but now we all get those "news" wich a few years would just have happend without letting the whole internet participate in it ?

[DoubleM70]

Yes they are doing some major restructuring. I think these cuts have to happen to get back into the black for the company. Sony has had Damn good talent at their studios for many many years.

[DigitalRaptor]

Sony Corp. has been restructuring for the past 3 or so years.

What we're seeing here is business as usual for this time of year, every year. The start of a generation is critical for any company in this industry, but this is just what happens. Fat is trimmed. Talent is poached. People shift around. Xbox has also had key folks leaving in the past few months, although not as many as in recent times for Sony:

Ballmer, Mattrick, Whitten, Larsson-Green.

Nintendo probably has too, but no-one makes a shake about that. Big companies have people coming and going, but not like the tail end of a generation, going into a new one.

This is a big deal, but only those with either naivety or hopeful agendas are looking into this as some kind of endgame for Sony and PlayStation.

[Death]

I don't think any real gamer wants to see this happen. It doesn't happen every year like this either. Sure, people come and go, but not as many high profile positions across multiple first party studios. It is more than possible that they are moving on before the market gets flooded with more layoffs. We will know after Monday when the fiscal year ends for Sony and Hirai faces investors.

[Kalowest]

Sony doesn't have the money!

[Dark11]

Well People getting laid off for reason.

[Charybdis]

My guess is they are trying to reduce the number of ("non essential")directors/mana gers in order to increase their efficiency or something. They probably are offering a nice buy out sum for personnel willing to leave.

[InTheLab]

When there's smoke, there's fire. There is clearly something wrong at Sony and at this point, it's well past normal day to day operations.

[zebramocha]

Not entirely in this case,ssm was the only studion to lose a sizable amount of people,like I touch on some in my post only a few people were affected overall in some of the studios.

[InTheLab]

They lost Stig though. That is a major cause for concern.

[clmstr]

Ouch...

[Fantangoooo]

not such a bad thing you know .. League of Legends is an awesome game.. cant get enough... lol. Well on the top this things happen, people move. I am sure they would still bring out an ace game.

[Dudebro90]

Still think nothing weird is going on at Sony?

Seriously, what's going on over there?

[Paulie_gualtieri]

Same thing that's been going on for a few months.Studio spring cleaning.

Guess we're going to get a new news submission everytime someone else gets canned.

[Zodiac]

Uncharted is one of Playstations flagship series, The PS4 is hot, and now a game directer just walks out on all that?

Not something i would just label as "Spring Cleaning"

[SoapShoes]

It's getting old... Why don't we have any articles about when someone leaves Atari, Nintendo, Microsoft? Furthermore lets have 100s of articles for the people who join these companies too. Talent leaves and talent comes in. I can only imagine the crapstorm there'd be if the co-founders(Jason/Andy) left today, everyone would be crying foul when ND went on just fine without them. The only reason people are actually worried is because they're withholding game news for major events such as E3. You hear stuff like this and don't get the whole picture. People are afraid of what they don't understand.

[InTheLab]

This is Justin Richmond though. He's the equivalent of Stig leaving SSM. This is not normal. There is something wrong.

[svoulis]

Hard to say really one big thing is he went to riot games immediately meaning he was offered a better contract. Well see though I still think the current generation of games will do wonders for us.

[hkgamer]

its a shame that sony cannot do something to keep these guys.

Sony starting to go uphill with the PS4 success and them trimming down their main businesses.

[Fantangoooo]

when i do think of it now.. the last lady that left Amy Hennig, she was the director, now another director..?? wtf is up with that... these are the captains of the ship!

[Kayant]

Well now the game industry has certainly been interesting these few days.

Seems kind of odd to go from Naughty Dog to Riot games. Anyways best of luck on his career change.

There's defiantly something going on with Sony studios.

[EXVirtual]

I think it's a restructuring. A very radical restructuring. In some cases at least. It kinda makes sense. It's a new gen and soon enough we'll get through transitional period. I would think some positions would become redundant.
Has GG been hit yet?

[towelie1288]

wow the one game i am looking forward too
also for me to get a PS4 isnt looking so good
what the hell is going on?

[fonger08]

When it rains it pours I guess.

[Ginesis]

Wow...something is definitely wrong at the big ND! Creative differences maybe?!?

[frostypants]

Talented studio = talented people = lots of poaching. Nothing surprising. The flip side is a company like ND attracts the best new people, too.

[Ginesis]

I get what you're saying but he's leaving in the midst of development, that in itself is rare. Usually they finish the project to collect their bounus then they make their leave.

P.S. as a director most companies give you a bounus depending on how well the game sells.

[DeadMansHand]

Exactly. The n4g trolls have never worked in big business. Any team that wins a superbowl gets picked apart in the following draft. Restructure happens. Contracts end. People get cancer and have to leave work. Think they want the trolls to know what's going on in their personal life? No, they do not. The ps4 is hot. Anti ps4 people want it to fail. They blog and comment to vent their insecurities. To be fair, Sony trolls will do the same thing to xbox news and both do It to Nintendo doom news stories. The circle of troll is complete.

[Edsword]

I think a shake up at Sony is happening, some people leave when those things occur even if they were not asked to. I hope this is for the best, but loosing talented individuals rarely is.

[Z_-_D_-_3]

I hope none of these ND departures take away from the overall quality of their games... Two big people are now gone.

[bjmartynhak]

"The Last of Us"

That's the meaning of the game title, huh... (saw this on GAF)

[Ricegum]

Haha, to be honest that's pretty funny.

[RebelWAC]

Layoffs is one thing but when one leaves after another you start to wonder, what the hell is going on behind those closed doors?

[Soldierone]

Wonder what the hell is going on at ND? It has to be something creative making a mess.

If it was simply layoffs from Sony, wouldn't GG already be hit by now too? The only thing they got hit with was at Cambridge and it was just excess people from the Vita title.

I mean Sucker Punch and other studios seem to be fine so far too. Perhaps the people just don't like where Uncharted 4 is going?

[DC777]

Maybe. ND is the top team in the industry right now so I'm sure the pressure is ridiculous there.

[NeloAnjelo]

What is going on???

[prodg52]

I can't imagine the amount of pressure these guys are under to deliver another "game of the year" in a tight release window. Especially when you're working with an established franchise (Uncharted). With a new IP the expectations wouldn't be so high.

[curtis92]

Well... this is interesting. No point in speculating since we have NO idea but it's interesting nevertheless. I'm sure to some it's nothing major and to others it's a sinking ship. Just... whatever. At this point I'm tired of thinking about it.

[Goro]

It's bad for the game when a director leaves during development.

[extermin8or]

Depends who takes over and ibguess gotta remember naughty dog dont have the same hierarchy as most devs, they operate abit differently.

[polow got sol]

It makes me scared.

[hankmoody]

This is just weird if you ask me. Who knows what kind of pressure must be getting put on these people. And two of Naughty Dog's top staff leaving within days of each other, in the midst of the PS4 selling like hotcakes?

[ABeastNamedTariq]

I thought the other dude left in December, and that his departure got announced only a few days ago.

But yes I agree, it's weird.

[Kyanu]

u gotta be kiddin' me!

[Pancit_Canton]

Everyone wants to start their own studio now a days. Kickstarter besically made it easy for people to developed and create games they want to do with creative freedom at all times. Also, self publishing made it more easy for indie developers published games to console,pc and mobile device for a reasonable price without the help of big publisher to make a cut.

[Kyanu]

You mean with Ken Levine as a role model? Interesting point, though I would expect people in "smaller" positions to leave a big company and try something on one's own. But high profile people?

[bjmartynhak]

PS3 not selling: invest in games and studios to catch up with MS.

PS4 outselling Xbox: cut the fat, invest less in games, make marketing deals because they are cheaper. People will get multiplat on PS4 anyway because of the better hardware. That's it. Hope to be wrong though.

[curtis92]

That's not the most absurd thing I've read on N4G today, I'll tell you that. It's definitely a business strategy that'd be worth looking into at the very least.

[Kyanu]

Good point. But why cutting Naughty Dog's fat?

[SoapShoes]

Sooo how do you explain PS2 doing well and still investing in studios??

[bjmartynhak]

PS2 had lots of third party exclusives. Media Molecule, Sucker Punch, Guerrilla Games and Evolution are all relatively recent acquisitions. I think all of them except GG were during PS3 era. GG was in the very late life of PS2.

[incredibleMULK]

you're right. ps4 will have better graphics but less exclusives/games and xbox one will have not as good graphics but more exclusives causing all the fanboys on both sides to backpedal!......diabolical!

exclusives?? who needs exclusives when you got call of duty and better graphics??

graphics?? who needs good graphics when you got good exclusives like project spark?

sony pulled a microsoft. They hyped all these games that never existed. sweet. Sad thing is they wiped their ass with Jack Denton after his squashing xbox at e3. Then they wiped their ass with all these poor video game designers after they made games for them. I am starting to dislike sony....and it all started when I called their 1800number to complaign about mandatory online fees and they had a shitty, coy attitude like we can what are you gonna do about it.

I'll tell you what i'm gonna do, when you go broke i'm gonna call you back and laugh my ass off at ya.

I'll also laugh my ass off if Jack Denton goes over to xbox with phil spencer and makes some bang up games and gives away your crabby patty secret formula.

[superbhoy]

''Jack Denton''...facepalm... come back when you know what you are talking about

[JunkyardWillie]

Everyone is mysteriously leaving Naughty Dog, SEGA's CEO steps down, and Xbox One sales are increasing. I'm no detective...just saying.

[WeAreLegion]

They increased for two weeks. It's back down.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

What exactly are you saying?

[Hicken]

Not a damn thing.

[Fantangoooo]

hahahahahaha kwietstorm &Hicken damn that killed me...

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Because you don't want to explain yourself, I'm and idiot? OK.

[Hicken]

Calling somebody else an idiot because you strung a bunch of events together but didn't explain how they should be looked at as related?

If you got upset because your nonsense was seen for what it was, maybe you should, you know, make some sense?

[Whitey2k]

More studios = more ps4 exclusives :D

[Team_Litt]

Everybody be cool. Apparently it is pretty normal for game directors to up and leave in the middle of a project after years of service at a studio. /s
Bet you somebody is going to say his job was done -__-

[extermin8or]

Well... two leads on uncharted 3 the weakest in the trillogy both seem to have left... im not complaining till I see finished product.

[Blacklash93]

They were also leads on Uncharted 2, and of course we all know that game was horrible. :/

Uncharted 3 was a product of rushed development with too much ambition, very evident by how fragmented it felt. It doesn't change that these are talented people who were great assets for Naughty Dog.

[extermin8or]

No amy hennig was a co lead for writing on uncharted 2 along with bruce and neil. Richmond was lead on uncharted 2's multiplayer. Also people kindly remember Naughty Dog has a pretty unique system, it's more everyone works on their own lvel/bit of a level at any one time and then it all get's brought together. The leads there have slightly different jobs to leads at other studios who have control of the whole overall vision for the game.

[Blacklash93]

Hennig has been Creative Director and Lead Writer the for the entire series. And Richmond being in charge of the entire multiplayer aspect of Uncharted 2 is also a leading role. Those are top positions and my point still stands.

[xx4xx]

I'm concerned as I really thought Uncharted 3 was very disjointed...easily the weakest in the series.

I know it's hard to keep momentum going after #3 in a series....so I really thought Uncharted 4 was going to need to really be great.

These recent departure don't bode well.

(@Blacklash 93....I really liked Uncharted 2)
:)

[extermin8or]

http://www.dualshockers.com...
read, someone with some common sense it should appear if nothing else. Makes a nice change.

[xx4xx]

Read? Read what? The article you attached that was different than the one i commented on?

Know what else makes a nice change?
Coherent sentences with proper punctuation.

[jcnba28]

I don't care whether you're a sony fanboy or a sony hater this is very concerning.

[vikingland1]

The new PS4 moto,Greatness leaving. Just a joke guys.
I'm sure it's nothing more than he felt it was time to move on. It happens all the time cliff belinski comes to mind.

[ltachiUchiha]

He was in charge of the multiplayer for uncharted 2 & 3 which after all the nerfs for 2 got me not to like it anymore. Whoever is the lead director for The Last of Us multiplayer needs to step in for Uncharted 4 multiplayer because im still enjoying The Last of Us multiplayer. Both my characters have a 1.70+ Kill/Death Ratio and I dont even run with a squad, I join random games. My favorite multiplayer even to this day. Cant wait for the ps4 version.

[Tripl3seis]

Ok wtf is going on at Sony this has been a bad month for them

[SoapShoes]

How do you know? All we know is there have been some layoffs and people left. We know a small fraction of what's going on in their studios.

[TheProfessional]

@soapshoes that's just naïve. There's been way too many people in top tier positions leaving and getting fired in the last month or two, all from Sony studios. There's obviously something going on.

[DarkLord1003]

What is going on??

[medziarz]

after U3 didn't surpass U2 (and actually a lot of people say they broke the game), i call these departures a good call. they were both directors for U3. U4 is probably a year from now - March 2015 - enough time to fix the game after they've left.

[DaBeatSpecialist]

All i have to say is...."It's a conspiracy"

[_FantasmA_]

LOL @ everybody freaking out. Maybe Sony is just putting their foot down and being realistic and letting people go who have been having performance problems. They obviously are serious about cleaning up their studios and thats what it looks like they are doing. Nobody would feel sorry for me if I got fired, why should we care when these guys who make 5 times the money get fired only to go work at another studio??

[AD705]

This is getting concerning right now. I know this happens a lot but just all of a sudden every big time developer for sony is leaving with little to no explanation as to why.

[Tripl3seis]

I know dude but I'm bit concerned thats all

[TheTwelve]

Further proof, in my opinion,that Uncharted 4 is going to look and play like The Last of Us.

This will please a lot of people, but not me. I'll miss the Uncharted 2 days...

[ToastyMcNibbles]

Bruce Straley directed Uncharted 2 though didn't he? If he's back in charge of it then I wouldn't be too worried.

[Majin-vegeta]

*On a happier note, after careful consideration and exploration I have joined Riot Games.

Did we all read the same article cuz half the clowns commenting in here obviously didn;t read.

[Bundi]

good grief majin, aren't you tired of all the damage control you do around here? I mean Sony isn't going bankrupt or anything but get your head out of the sand and stop trying to downplay every single bit of negativity with far-fetched spin.

Just yesterday you were spinning that a game director leaving midway through a project was normal...I mean for heaven sake even you know you are being ridiculously naive right?
http://i.imgur.com/MBlS7Wr....

[kevinsheeks]

hhahahahahahahahaha lamaoaoaoao

[Majin-vegeta]

The game is pretty much most likely done.Which in his case he is no longer needed and only agreed to stay till it was finished.Most of it is now being use to iron out bugs and crap and do some finishing touches on the game

Also if you would have taken off your MS x fanboy goggles.You would see that he left to start a new game company.

Here I'll write it in big letter so you don't miss it again.

RODGERS LEFT THE STUDIO IN FEBRUARY TO FORM INDIE STARTUP BIG RED SWITCH GAMES,A DEVELOPMENT STUDIO THAT HE SAYS IS WORKING ON "SOME COOL GAME CONCEPTS".

Also noted his departure had nothing to do with the layoffs ;)

Nice try at making me look bad close but no cigar ;)

[themiracle]

yep
everbody panic
people changing jobs means all hell is breaking loose

says a few kids who have yet to make their first big career move

*sigh*

[GentlemenRUs]

There is a difference between leaving and being let go/fired.

These people are leaving on their own will.

EDIT: And I see the trolls have been let loose again...

- Before you hit that Disagree button, Think! Is it worth it? Reply to why you disagree with me.

[fonger08]

The question is why though? Generally there are two reasons for "leaving" a job; A. you find something better ie promotion or higher paying... though leaving Naughty Dog, I can't imagine what other first party studio would better at this moment, or B. you don't agree or don't see yourself as long term asset to the company. Either way I would love to know why someone would want to leave NaughtDog.

BTW I didn't hit disagree...

[kenshiro100]

What do you mean why? People leave for different reasons. More money, different perspectives, etc. People need to stop freaking out. People don't work at companies forever.

[MonsterChef]

I'd be worried, not about Sony but the whole game industry in general it seems like top AAA developers are going through a huge change and you really can't blame them for leaving this industry over the course of the last generation has become a little to huge and cumbersome to be as liberal and creative as it once was be it cost of development, flagship series, or risk on a new IP the stakes haven't been higher for a developer to succeed at the same time the flexibility has been restrained that I feel these people feel attached to a ball and chain... If you like it or not it seems Indies are going to be are silver lining for new game experiences this gen and it's a good thing Sony has a lot of them

[d4v0333]

Is it that time of the month for everybody? They are just quitting their jobs left and right. This is too funny.

[silvacrest]

seriously...what the actual f*ck is going on at sony??

i am a sony fan and this has got me worried

[Dirtnapstor]

Individuals have come a gone. I think it seems like a bigger deal than it really is simply because the newest consoles just came out. Being that this particular bit comes from the ND camp is eye opening considering Amy Hennig just left... hopefully any of the vacancies will not inhibit their greatness!

[silkrevolver]

I wonder if the Last of Us directors are taking it over.

[mo241]

sony...
what are you doing?
sony?
please...
staph

[My_Name_BTW_Is_Dante]

I guess greatness awaits them somewhere else.

[LakerGamerEnthusiast]

I don't care what you say now. This has gone far too long now to be ignored and just downplayed as the usual movement that goes on in a industry.

This really concerns me and not in the slightest bit do I feel great about it.

Once the snowball starts rolling, it's going to keep going and the bigger it gets, the harder it will be to repair the eventual damage it's going to cause in the village below.

SONY as a company has got to address this in some way, shape, or form. They've got to re-assure their fan base that this is merely a hiccup and that the PS4 will not suffer as a result in any way.

Alot of people invest into these consoles, and if the games stop delivering, (Which to this point I have no belief will happen YET) then they will have ruined a promising start out the gate for a console that had PS2 Aspirations.

[maniacmayhem]

You really think any fan outside of N4G even knows let alone cares that 6 or 7 people have left Sony PlayStation or the layoffs done by Sony for a few of their studios.

EA, Activision and almost every video game company in existence has a revolving door and EA lays off hundreds every Christmas and yet they still churn out a Madden every year.

Point, there is nothing to be concerned about. This unfortunately is what the industry is about. People leave for other opportunities. Companies re-structure to save costs, development teams are downsized, it really is that simple.

The media press would be flooded if every company had to address the public every time someone left.

[LakerGamerEnthusiast]

I hope you're right. I along with many more people out there may just be overreacting a bit to the situation considering I've never really seen anything like this take part since I started being more involved with video games in terms of sites.

I hope you're right.

[Silly gameAr]

Yeah, I have to say now that something has to be going down behind closed doors. But, I don't see the need to flip out and go into doom, or conspiracy theorist mode yet.

[Bundi]

Nobody is flipping out, we just don't understand why people think this normal or okay. It feels like we are taking crazy pills when we can see that something is up but the majority of you guys seem to think it is pretty standard for 60 people to be laid off, directors to leave midway projects, games to be cancelled, 10 year vets to up and leave...

It is a bit bewildering to simply ask what is up and be met by people like soap telling you everything is fine and that you're the crazy one.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

Not surprising. Its just getting to the point where its funny. I'm worried. If Sony has a crappy E3 I'm done with them. PS4 will get put in the closet for a long time. I'll be good with 3DS/Wii U. Nintendo is the only one that knows what they're doing. And this is coming from a PlayStation fan.

[iliimaster]

smells fishy

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I don't put much credence to shifts of employees or even seeing major players like Tretton or Whitten when they left. However, its hard not to feel a little un-nerved by the sudden out poor from the Sony camp of developers. these aren't causalities of layoffs either but their timing coming along side the layoffs just speaks to some unrest in the ranks.

[dmonee]

Wtf is going on over there at Naughty Dog? First Henning and now this! This is a bad sign. As a gamer, I can't wait for the next Uncharted and The Last of Us sequels. But at what expense? Will the quality of their next projects be affected negatively by this? I hope not.

[McScroggz]

A lot of the layoffs I can make logical reasons as to why. Sony Santa Monica had become bloated in large part to help publish smaller games and overall help development for the PS3 for other teams. It sucks so many got laid off, including some really talented, well-known guys. But it made sense considering how easy it is to develop for the PS4.

Seeing lead designers, especially of important franchises like Amy Hennig (Uncharted) "leaving" Naughty Dog was troubling.

But this is just, weird. I know League of Legends is one of the most popular games in the industry, but it seems counterproductive to leave Naughty Dog (the industry standard) while the lead director for a flagship title to go work at Riot games and and work on the same game for who knows how long. It seems like, optimistically, it's a slight step back. Naughty Dog has creative freedom and a growing fanbase. Maybe I'm missing something?

I want Sony to announce they hired somebody really talented or open up a new mid-tier studio and make me feel a little better about the future.

[RE_L_MAYER]

they gonna have all these retarted new devs just for project morpheus

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

This is rlly sketchy Something's going on at Sony.

[AutoCad]

another one bites the dust.

[ajax17]

If Neil Druckmann leaves I will literally die.

[90Supra]

Yea......somthin's up at Sony...

[Gotcha5]

Looks like a long wait for 1st party games now.E3 will have more video coverage than game play on the floor.Well be looking forward to those 100 + F2P and Indie games.

[Illusive_Man]

Bet Insomniac is happy they left.

Reasons:
Sony can't afford to keep them all.
Sony wants wants too much creative control.
Developers got poached.
Games are being given away more than sold.

[BlakHavoc]

Ok...like something serious is going on inside Sony. Like theres been way too many people resigning or getting laid off. ND lost 2 valuable members of their studio, I hope the quality of their games doesnt take a hit because of this.

[TheRedButterfly]

Okay… what's going on over at Naughty Dog… Isn't this SCE's crown jewel studio? Why is everyone leaving?

(Image seen in IGN comment section. Found it lolzy)

[kevinsheeks]

I just Amy's tweets from time to time she doesn't seem like someone who wanted to leave

[KingKevo]

I was assuming, that Amy Henning and Justin Richmond were both co-directing it, so I though 'ok, amy left, but now Justin will do the job', but reading this now really makes me worried. I mean, sure, it's ND and their quality is always extremely high, but on the other hand no one can ever tell me that a two changes that are that huge won't impact the game. The game now needs an entirely new director, probably some lead from the team will do it, but it's really hard to believe that it won't impact the game, whether it's the release or the quality, I sure prefer the first option.

PS: Hope this time around nobody will blame Neil and Bruce...

also, will be interesting to see what Evan and Christophe (ND presidents who are in charge of the employees) will say about U4 and the development at E3.

[Jacobster]

Although I am sure Justin is a talented and nice guy - in my view he damaged Uncharted 3 with some choices that personally didn't work for me. Compared to UC2 there was just some magic missing and I suspect UC3 missed the full teams attention. Good luck to the guy :)

[mcarsehat]

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[level 360]

When a very good long-time opportunity arrives at your footsteps, you gotta grab it.

While some people do get fired, even those holding high positions. Most likely by their own doing.

People and work come and go.

[sephy]

Its because of all the lousy ass pirating thats going on in the world that is destroying game developers. 1 day we will understand the damage we have caused out of greed im sorry if i hurt someones feelings but its the damn truth....

[Illusive_Man]

Maybe it's the lousy gamers who expect free AAA titles every month on PSN.

[gameon1985]

so why no lay offs at Nintendo or Microsoft if that's the case?

[DoesUs]

Holy sh!tballs! Someone left a company and got a job at another company! Get Sky News on it right away!

[hello12]

Naughty Dog seems to me to be having internal issues and i am not convinced there leaving because of Sony's money problems?

I do believe Jack Tretton bailed on Sony because he knew Sony studios were going to let good people go and he knew the portfolio for E3 wasn't looking spectacular.

Anyway who thinks he left for any other reason is living in cuckoo land. He did not even have a job lined up to go to.

Driveclub looks doubtful you don't sack devs before a game ships?

The rest of the studios is just Sony reducing costs and overheads. Its not likely any good games were coming from these studios.

[DC777]

Doesn't surprise me things are starting to fall apart in the industry. The pressure is getting to be too much on AAA's when there is millions of dollars being put on their backs. Others have become way too conceited of late. Not a good combination.

[ironmonkey]

na these are people who became successful but also wanted more money. sony is trying to rebuild the company not keep giving away money. my opinion

[Games_R_Us]

People come and go in all studios, companies etc. Its more of a concern when the person who drives a game, ie cliffy B and Ferguson from EPIC who drove Gears leave. Its their creations that you loose when you loose those guys. So loosing a key writer for Uncharted and now this, is a worry. Sure the studio can make another UC game thats easy, but having a brilliant story, and game design is now lost. Thats the issue. Just look at COD. When Zampella and West left, the series went meh. Then they formed Respawn and Titanfall! Now Rod Ferguson runs Black Tusk and they are making Gears, thats a good thing as the creative mind behind it is working on it. My point is to look at exactly who leaves and their context and position relative to that title.

To make a comparison to Apple, look at Steve Jobs. He brought new ideas and creations. What have we seen thats evolutionary again from Apple now that he is gone?

[Clown_Syndr0me]

Some times change is good, I think its about time things were mixed up a little.

[fluxmulder]

Druckmann and Straley are cleaning house.

[Gamerita]

this is very natural.the people who left have been working for sony for many years can't expect them to stay until death does them apart,sh1t happens in life you know & some people gotta move on to other things in life. people have dreams you know.

oh if you work for sony you gotta be there for life.no it doesn't work that way although sony seems to be like a good boss because the devs sure love the company.

[plaZeHD]

WTF is goin on?

[Afistnu]

On a better note. David Sears, Creative Director of Socom 1 and 2 has joined with Russell Phillips, Art Director of Socom 1 and 2 and both joined SOFStudios to make a game called HHour. A Spiritual Successor to Socom 1 and 2 which long time Socom fans have been asking for the past 9 years. These guys listened. Joined a team and are making it happen now. Come check out their Project over at SOFStudios.com. Greatness Awaits

[ArbitorChief]

What is going on at Sony? We need answers Sony. When Naughty Dog starts getting affected multiple times, shit is getting real.

[Genki]

Seems as though Microsoft and Sony both can't get their sh*t together, and third party publishing juggernauts like EA and Activision have been cesspools for the better part of a decade now. This is quickly becoming the worst time in history to be a gamer. Online passes, DLC nickel and diming, innumerable bugs/issues, last gen ports galore...what do they have in store for us next?

[aragon]

lol at how this isnt the hottest topic

[Azzanation]

I can see in the near future Sony selling off there AAA companies soon. If they keep cutting staff I doubt they can afford to run the companies. NG might become a Bungie very soon.

[kewlkat007]

Just heard about this one..Sony is loosing talented guys that have worked on some good games, we all know, you just cannot always replace certain talent...

Guys at the end of the day..it comes down to money. Sony can't afford sh1t right now...I'm not sure with all the promises if they can keep them. It just doesn't look like it financially.

[Makkanchor]

Uncharted will never be the same again: (

[fonduktoe]

His career path is uncharted

[Klad]

The gaming industry as a whole is drowning! It is due to Mobile phones & Tablets, free games that look & play like console games!! & it will only get worse as new, more powerful phones & tablets come out. People just aren't buying as much games as they used too.

Development costs are going up because of next generation hardware. the expectations of gamers are also causing this, as they want the very best 1080p 60fps, Superior Graphics, Best gameplay, Best story line & best marketing!! meaning publishers have to sell even more games to break even, or make a profit.

Estimates for the next financial year have probably come in & workers are looking at PLAN B, as they probably knew they were going to lose there jobs.

Sony sold off there PC business & i think they will end up selling off a few other business's, to stay afloat. If you want a profitable business, there is no point in hanging on to something that loses money every year!!

I hope Sony sorts out the mess they are currently in, as their PS4 is the best console out & is looking GREAT right now.

[CuddlyREDRUM]

Cue Sony Defense Force...

[pornflakes]

Hm.. maybe MS is getting the "important heads" of Sonys studios.

Just look on Steve Jobs, Apple was nothing without him... when he came back, his innovations brought the company back to market.

Now Apple is the most expensive company on the world.

A game Studio can also be only good if you have the right innovations/ ideas.

[thebowkid]

Atleast it wont affect Uncharted. Hope that this doesn't affect too much ND in general though.

[ps4lifesucka]

Game makers are sick of making the same game over and over.