330°

Neil Druckmann to receive Andrew Yoon Award at New York Game Awards

The co-director/writer of the Last of Us games is being awarded for his 20-year tenure at Naughty Dog and progressing from staff intern to co-president.

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gamedeveloper.com
Obscure_Observer162d ago

Well deserved!

The man is a genius and gaming legend!

Jin_Sakai162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

Nah. The best games from Naughty Dog come from Amy Hennig and Bruce Straley.

Amy Hennig - Uncharted Director

Bruce Straley, Amy Hennig - Uncharted 2 Director

Amy Hennig, Justin Richmond - Uncharted 3 Director

Bruce Straley, Neil Druckmann - Uncharted 4 Director

Bruce Straley, Neil Druckmann - The Last of Us Director

Neil Druckmann, Anthony Newman, Kurt Margenau - The Last of Us: Part 2

darthv72162d ago

All of those games were great. And all three of them worked on three a piece, some even together. That doesn't take away from Obscures compliment or the fact Neil is getting an award for progressing up the ranks like he did. If Amy and Bruce were still there, Im sure they too would get similar awards. Maybe they did before they left...? I'll bet you they show up to watch him receive it though. They are all still friends.

Crows90162d ago

Uncharted 4 - my least favourite uncharted.
The last of us - best game from naughtydog some would say.
The last of us part 2 - by far naughtydogs worst game ever made...Maybe uncharted 3 takes that one though.

Their next game will really tell me whether naughtydog is worth any of my attention anymore.

outsider1624162d ago

The last of us 2 also had haley Gross iirc. And does it matter lol...all of them were/are with naughty dog. They all did their best.

162d ago
tay8701162d ago

Not true at all. Amy had nothing to do with uncharted 4, the last of us and the last of us 2. That's 3 of naughty dogs best games. Go ahead and try to rewrite history if you like, but facts don't support your statement. The last of us is Neils baby. It is sonys most important IP. uncharted or any other sony owned IP haven't translated nearly as well as the last of us has to other media venues. People like to trash t.l.o.u. 2 but the fact is it won more game awards than any other game, until elden ring recently bested it.

Cacabunga162d ago

This guy will be the cause of this studio’s downfall.. mark my words

lellkay162d ago

Whilst I like all of these games, I personally prefer the games that Druckman was involved with. Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us are two my favourite games of all time and The Last of Us Part 2 is a game I am a big fan of to.

Cacabunga162d ago

Uncharted are all amazing.. somehow I enjoy them more on my second playthrough.

U3 has a mention because I was enjoying it in 3D it was really good

shinoff2183161d ago (Edited 161d ago )

Just nevermind. I don't feel like it today 😘

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 161d ago
neutralgamer1992162d ago

oh please

this man has done well to push agendas and ruin franchises but go ahead and praise him. as the head of ND they have yet to make any impact on current gen

162d ago
ModsDoBetter162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

Lol devan is a new account.
Oooh someone doesn't agree with my outlook, they must be a BIGOT! 😂 alphabet mafia final boss

Crows90162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

@Devan

The agenda where freedom of thought is looked down upon and follows whatever the mainstream media gets behind.

The real bigots are those that cant accept other viewpoints and leave well enough alone...Instead they are compelled to destroy individuals for wrongthink while claiming superior moral ground of which they have none. Especially considering that if Ellie was 14 in the last of us part 1 then she may have been 12 in Left Behind. This means Neil druckman sexualized a 12 year old...not even a teenager yet or barely one. Its utterly disgusting.

Sonic1881162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

He ain't no gaming legend. But then again I ain't no fan of LOU part 2

Crows90162d ago

Most arent. At least not with the story.

thecodingart162d ago

This man is an egotistical person who has practically ruined naughty dog…

goldwyncq162d ago

When I think of gaming legends, I think of people like Shigeru Miyamoto or Hideo Kojima, not a guy who made an unnecessary sequel and divided the fanbase because of controversial decisions.

Crows90162d ago

Nah. He barely had anything to do with any of naughty dog successes. If you read up on what he wanted from the Last of Us part 1 you would see how awful it would have been...hence the enormous divide in fans with the last of us part 2.

162d ago
Crows90162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

@devan

Dude...you mean ps5? Now you're playing the console fanboy card? If youre going to claim such nonsense at least look through my history. Youre only showing how full of it you are. Grasping at straws boy.

Look if youre into 12 year old girls kissing and exploring 12 year old sexuality thats your thing and neils.

162d ago
-Foxtrot161d ago

His original pitch before Bruce Straley sounded awful

https://www.thegamer.com/in...

Then you had TLOU initial pitch where Joel did something bad to Tess in the past which made her hunt him down with her small army across America before beating the shit out of him in the end. A story that sounds a lot like TLOU2 with Abby getting revenge on Joel with her friends and a story that Bruce rejected because he said it was unbelievable someone in that harsh world would hang onto for revenge for so long and could actually manage to get people to follow her on this personal vendetta.

People don't want to admit it but Bruce had a LOT to do with the first games success, Neil himself has said it into Reddit AMAs and the like how involved Bruce was with the game and story.

Crows90161d ago (Edited 161d ago )

@ Foxtrot
It is absolutely awful and most placed were giving him the boot.

Bruce was the only reason we came to love The Last of Us. Most are just not reading up on it themselves. Neil has only ever gotten in the way of good storytelling...hence now that he's in charge we get the massively divisive story of tlou2

Heck you can even see in my comment right now being split 10/10 which makes my comment true...funny.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 161d ago
Vengeance1138161d ago

Tell me you know nothing about naughty dog games without telling me you know nothing about naughty dog games.

Brazz159d ago

Rare for me to agree with you. it's becoming more common, but still rare.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 159d ago
Kaii162d ago

Oh my
*The Andrew Yoon Legend Award recognizes those who have propelled the gaming world forward, celebrating their profound impact on an industry that continues to captivate and connect people worldwide.

Revenge is bad, ok. Mutilate the character in front of the audience's eyes with a golf club and forgive'em in the last act because we must learn to forgive or learn it's an endless cycle of Naruto hate if with don't forgive this person.
"Runs away from this discussion because it'll only go one way, ./bows out"

mkis007162d ago

I never will understand the standpoint that joel was safe from any and all horrors just because he was the protagonist of the first game. It's not about forgiveness. It's purely about the cycle. What the people who hate 2 want has been done a million times before.

Crows90162d ago

I'll never understand that standpoint either...seeing as nobody is taking that standpoint...any other standpoints you want to project?

162d ago Replies(3)
162d ago Replies(4)
spicelicka161d ago

As opposed to character A gets killed by character B, character C takes revenge and kills character B at the end? How many times has that generic revenge template been used? At least 99%?

It always bewilders me that people have no problem with completely cookiecutter and generic story direction, but the minute someone tries to do something different everyone turns into the most snobby critic from Britain.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 161d ago
StarcrossedBits162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

This is a nonsensical award anyway. I worked with Yoon back at Joystiq in the mid 00s - he was just some guy. A minor videogame journalist who made one game and then died in a tragic accident.

The award was literally created by a friend/partner of his to keep his legacy alive, but he really didn't have a legacy and definitely wasn't a major contributor to the videogame world. No more than any editor / writer on IGN or something.

The only person who cares about this award is Yoon's friend. Definitely not something the people getting it particularly care about, since why would they? It's like me giving out the 'StarcrossedBits' award to Miyamoto.

cloganart161d ago

If something happened to you and there was an award dedicated to you, I'd be more than happy to receive it bro <3 :(

CrimsonWing69162d ago

I really enjoyed Last of Us 2, but I remember reading an interview with him where he wants to push diverse characters in a way that seems disingenuous and almost aggressive for the sake of brownie points and that doesn’t really sit well with me.

I felt The Last of Us 2 was handled fine with that, but I can see this guy getting way overzealous to the point it becomes too in your face.

Without balance you almost become the very thing you’re trying to champion against.

Crows90162d ago (Edited 162d ago )

Watch out for the bigot sandwich thrown your way. lol

We all know that people were using the word bigot all of the time in the past...wait...no thats just recently.
Expecting balance from neil is like expecting balance from todays society.

outsider1624162d ago

I dont see it as an issue if he wants to push diverse characters. Just as long as it doesn't feel forced. And some scenes though didn't sit right with me. Like that sex scene for eg. It just didnt make sense. All in all though truly an experience.

CrimsonWing69161d ago

I think it made sense. They weren’t ever truly over each other. Love can be messy like that. That was actually a realistic portrayal of how people have broken up, but still want each when one of them is involved with another.

-Foxtrot161d ago

"Like that sex scene for eg"

Abby pretty much forced herself on a very drunk Owen and took advantage

If it was the other way round it would have been called out.

-Foxtrot161d ago

As someone part of the LGBT+ community I didn't get or like the way they did Lev in TLOU2, they had someone so far into this post apocalyptic setting, brainwashed by a cult with no knowledge of the old world yet they still tried to do some sort of trans storyline like our real world views still applied. How could Lev so far into this cult and new world do what a typical trans kid would do today by cutting their hair, going by he/him pronouns, changing their name and the like when it took us in the real world so long to get to that point in our modern stable society. I'm sure people in the games Universe would be more worried about surviving each day than worrying if they were trans or hell even what trans was since again there's no knowledge of the old world and Lev grew up in an old fashioned like cult. Just seemed like the wrong kind of game to do it in, fair enough if it was someone older at Joels age who grew up in the old world but a young kid?

I just think it felt forced and honestly Lev wasn't done well at all. It came across like he cut his hair and changed his name/pronouns because he saw his sister got to become a warrior while he was chosen to be a child bride for this creepy old guy and he didn't want that. So to be with his sister he cut his hair thinking it would get him out of it, so he'd become a warrior like his sister but it actually put a target on his back instead. That's how it came off because of the writing. Once he got away he kept the name and new identity to remove himself from his old life and trauma.

Even Ellie with the whole bigot sandwich thing, why would Seth be a homophobic ass hole to her in this little community who are trying to survive together? I think 25 years into a devastating world wide catastrophe would have washed those old minded views right out of anyones system because at the end of the day it's all about surviving, not what sexuality they are or race, so why be sudden homophobic prick drunk or not.

outsider1624161d ago

As far as Lev's part, i have no idea how or what they feel. maybe you're right.

But with regards to Seth, the whole dance floor saw Ellie and Dina kissed.
And trust me when i say this..but there are people who when they see 2 people of the same gender kiss. It gets on their nerves. Its happened like that, it's happening now. And no matter how any years it takes in the apocalypse it'll still go on. Hence the bigot sandwich thing.

-Foxtrot161d ago

"Its happened like that, it's happening now. And no matter how any years it takes in the apocalypse it'll still go on"

Will it though? Even if you are a closed minded person 20 odd years into the future where you've managed to survive harsh conditions you've now fortunately found a haven, a community where you feel safe, would you really be that bothered about two people of the same gender kissing still? I think most people would just be glad they have someone safe to live and live their lives.

Also its Ellie, Joels "daughter", Joel as in the brother of Tommy who runs the place with his wife...why risk any trouble.

Hofstaderman162d ago

Exactly. Insomniac is holding the fort this gen.

-Foxtrot161d ago

He's too busy blowing his load all over Hollywood to give a shit

He just knows if he leaves a full on stable high end job at ND to pursue his dream in writing it's a risky business, you're not guaranteed jobs and a steady income (look at the recent strikes for example)

outsider1624161d ago

They're being remastered. Be patience. Lol.

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90°

The Epic Games Store Has Two More Freebies this Week

It's time to add two more games to your library for free from the Epic Games Store.

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terminalgamer.com
290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv721d 12h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle23h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188121h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio20h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning7716h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga23h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv729h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19924h ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff218322h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga21h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan17h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit10h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2316h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv7216h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier4h ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 4h ago
purple1011d 2h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos1d 1h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-15h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac1d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1011d ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos23h ago(Edited 23h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic22h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead15h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 15h ago
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70°

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors: "I deserve a lot of criticism."

Embracer CEO demonstrates a masterclass in mental gymnastics in latest interview.
"I'm sure I deserve a lot of criticism, but I don't think my team or companies deserve all the criticism. I could take a lot of that blame myself. But ultimately I need to believe in the mission," he said.

Read Full Story >>
gamesindustry.biz
on_line_forever1d 20h ago

OK give us Kingdoms of Amalur 2 with AAA budget and we will accept your excuse

kaos891d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

The king of the studio asset flip scheme that failed.

badboyz091d 17h ago

What kind of name is Lars?