The Last of Us Part 2 Won't Avoid 'Personal Politics' says Druckmann

The Last of Us Part 2 won't avoid "personal politics" according to creator Neil Druckmann, saying that the games are very much an expression of his views.

[Nyxus]

Just make it as you made part 1!

[UCForce]

I think he will. The reason I love the ending TLOU. Because it was personal for me. Joey isn't a hero, he is flaw character in a good way. He wasn't care about the world really. He care Ellie that much because she reminds him of his daughter. If I had a child, I would do anything for as father. And it's not just that, there are so many things I love about TLOU.

Edit : @annoyedgamer I understand your frustration and concern, but we have to wait and see.

Edit#2: Everything can be difficult for a lot of reasons.

[WombBat]

lemme guess, ellie is gonna have a girlfriend.

enough with the agenda, ish is played out.

[Paytaa]

@WomBat she already had a girlfriend and that story arc in Left Behind was incredible.

It's not an "agenda", it's Naughty Dog's creative vision.

@naruga if that's true then why has literally every modern ND game received mass critical acclaim? TLOU being like the 2nd most awarded game in history.

[naruga]

the politcal correct agenda being continuously played by lame Druckmann starts destroying ND games ....

[Eonjay]

He is the creator. Let him create. Its really quite difficult to create a work of art that doesn't have traces of your personality or self in it. It should be his story and not someone else's.

[Silly gameAr]

@WombBat

TLOU isn't Overwatch. Naughty Dog would be much more subtle and respectful about stuff like that, and wouldn't use it as a marketing tactic like Blizzard did.

[NotanotherReboot]

I can't believe this. how dare he force his political views and ruin ND's games.

[YoungKingDoran]

I'm really hoping he doesn't do it in a stupid way, I mean by the time this comes out they would have missed the identity politics ship. We've only just recently gone back to having only TWO genders after all. Just hoping his recent successes are not clouding his true artistic vision.

[Nathan_Hale53]

@WombBat

How Naughty Dog made Ellie in Left Behind, it felt real, and natural, unlike many recent games attempts at putting in anything LGBT, which is usually forced and is, yes, filling an agenda. If you played it you would understand. They made it real. Not an "agenda".

[johndoe11211]

I love naughty dog and their games but I don't think people really grasp the depth of this statement. Neil Druckmann is a hardcore feminist so him saying that the game will be an expression of his views basically says that the game will have a political agenda. What I'm waiting to see is how many people will give naught dog a pass on this if the game really does that while bashing other devs over the years for doing the same thing.

[yeahright2]

@wombat and naruga What's your deal with trying to censor him? now we can only have works of art that fit what you deem acceptable?

[Salooh]

For me it is truly unrealistic to be gay at moments like that, even if somehow these feelings were real and natural ( Not something i developed which i believe that's what gay is doing, they choose and develop these feelings and want to do whatever they want not doing what's right and wrong ) I would still suppress it just so that i can survive and to help the world, it is like you have a cure of illness yet you personally chose to not use it to help people. Same with giving birth to children in such situations. Thus i believe that putting gay stuff in such world shows agenda. If it was uncharted i would of swallowed it and said since he personally like gay stuff and he is not following my sets of rules and thinking i can see why would he choose to want it but here is just stupid no matter how good he do it.

[annoyedgamer]

Wouldnt bet on it.

[-Foxtrot]

"saying that the games are very much an expression of his views"

Oh good grief...we already saw this shit in Uncharted 4 with Nadine and Elena taking a back seat of sorts (compare her character to the first game or second). Even forcing Nadine into the DLC story where it makes no sense Chloe would need her help over Charlie Cutters or Sully's

He's a massive fan of Anita Sarkeesian aswell

Bruce Straley balanced him out in the first game and now he's gone. A game should never involve personal views as it always comes off as a bias political message.

[BlakHavoc]

You really need to get over UC4 lol. As far TLOU goes, Bruce isn't gone, he's just taking a vaca which he probably needed after TLOU and UC4. Once Amy left I don't think they had much of a break considering they had to immediately take over that product.

[Fiddlerblue]

One of the reasons a lot of gamers don't like Anita Sarkeesian is because she seems to want to censor creative vision to appease a personal belief of her's and we don't like censoring creativity. However, this goes both ways. If Neil Druckmann wants to create a game rife with a political message that reflects his views, that's his prerogative as a creator. It's his (and his teams') vision and they should be able to do that just the same as Koei Tecmo should be able to release Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 in the States if they want to.

ND always makes top-tier stuff so I have no doubt this won't disappoint.

[Christopher]

***A game should never involve personal views as it always comes off as a bias political message.***

Disagree.

Edit: Please don't agree with me because you think I'm supporting Druckmann's politics. I'm not. I'm supporting the right of any creator to create what they want and not what others believe they should be imposed on them. If you don't like what someone creates, do not buy it. But, they have every right to create what they want based on whatever they want to put into it, whether it's personal or otherwise.

[Nathan_Hale53]

Ew, A fan of Anita... I don't think people should go out of their way to implement personal views. Because that can absolutely destroy immersion. But if they can implement something subtlety, you know, like real life, then I am all for it. Forcing views into a game is just bad design to me.

[_-EDMIX-_]

How do you know it was forced?

The biggest problem I have with people who use this stupid excuse if they're trying to make it seem as if the inclusion of such a thing was by force with zero evidence.

How do you know?

A piece of art should never involve someone's personal views? LMFAO!! Oh ok bud.

I'm a concept artist and that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life

sit yourself down somewhere bud, if you don't create art don't worry about how other artists create that's something that's completely irrelevant to you and you don't seem to understand it to be trying to make a statement about it.

Like my film teacher told me, "when you make your film, do what you want with it, don't worry about what other people are doing with their art"

@ Christopher- 100% respect

[coolbeans]

-"A game should never involve personal views as it always comes off as a bias political message."

1.) You a bit late in speaking out against that, as political messages have been--subtly or otherwise--been incorporated into a plethora of video games. Heck, one of gaming's most iconic series, Grand Theft Auto, use of satire is constantly being thrown at the player.

2.) This almost seems nigh impossible when considering stories. Storytellers are often conveying messages that are personal to them; and since politics is a big part of our everyday lives--that extends beyond the "SJW" stuff too--it's a factor that can be seen constantly seeped into stories, whether in obvious or subtle ways. As Stan Lee put it: "A story without a message... is like a man without a soul."

-"He's a massive fan of Anita Sarkeesian aswell"

*faints*

[rainslacker]

It's impossible to completely seperate the artist from his work. In fact, that is a recipe for poor art.

Don't assume that because he's a fan of Sarkeesian, that it means he will bow down to her whims, or that he will go to extremes to inject his gender politics in a way that is shallow or annoying. It's not like he's going around disparaging gamers, and he does understand his audience.

ND is pretty good at this stuff, and while I can understand the concern, it may be too early to start sounding the alarm bells.

If the game releases, and goes off the deep end with his personal views, then it will be panned pretty hard, and likely reignite the gender nonsense we haven't seen too much of lately as our discontent will just be used as an example of how intolerant we are, and all that jazz. It'll probably also be a huge blow to ND reputation if they don't do it properly, and I doubt Sony would allow it despite their penchant for letting devs do their own thing.

Most of all, keep in mind, not avoiding personal politics, doesn't mean that he's going to insert his politics in a way that is bad. Just means that the story may reflect some of his personal politics. And realistically, this happens with a lot of art, from movies, music, TV, games, books, etc.

Despite me not sharing some of his views, I feel ND is one of the few devs that can address topical things without being obtrusive or preachy about it. So in the case of TLOU2, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt, and not allow a random statement from the creators become doom and gloom.

[UltraNova]

Well said Cristopher and Rain.

I can't help but wonder though, is Neil out of ideas when it comes to part 2 and he found the solution in sociopolitical context? I love ND and respect them as much as I trust them but I really hope their mind is firmly set on quality/purposeful story and characters and not on boarding the current social status bandwagon.

Edit

That said, we really need to give them the benefit of doubt, if there's one dev out there who deserves it, its ND.

[silvacrest]

"Even forcing Nadine into the DLC story where it makes no sense Chloe would need her help over Charlie Cutters or Sully's"

omg, how in the world would you know this? you are doing what your accusing drukman of doing, inserting your own opinion to fit some narrative

[SnotyTheRocket]

Bruce balanced him out? What? How would you know that? You people are acting like he didn't write the first game, in which he probably had the same writing philosophy. "Oh no, Chloe is working with Nadine. Oh no"

[-Foxtrot]

@silvacrest

Really?

Ok so if you had a problem in your life and needed help what would you do?

Get a close, personal friend who's been with you for years

OR

Get some random stranger who you'll pay for help.

[wsoutlaw87]

When will you people stop crying about game characters. Its his game and he should do what he wants. Its his art and its embarrassing that the topic still makes some of you so uncomfortable. Im sorry, but it is time to grow up, and move on.

[jmac53]

I love how when any creative person depicts something that happens in real life is considered to having an "agenda" just because people are homophobic.

[ShadowKnight]

Just take your time Naughty Dog.

[CBOAT]

Just say it, Druckmann... Donald Trump will be the main villain in this game.

[superdarrin82]

It'll be an orange zombie with very tiny hands.

[SpinalRemains138]

Wrong!! Wrong!! His hands will be massive. The biggest ever.

[BlackTar187]

YUGE

[medman]

Wrong! Such a nasty person. Sad!

[kneon]

I don't think so, that would make it much too scary :)

[Konman72]

Sounds amazing. Sign me up!

[FalconSabre]

This is good to hear in today's political climate.

[Sweetbrandigirl]

YES Definitely I want Druckman to continue to inserting his views into the game because thats what gave the game such a dynamic and real feel.

[Greyfoxdbz]

as long as he doesn't bring in his feminist politics i really don't give a crap.

[loverlink]

What are the feminist politics?

[EverydayJoe]

I think he means human right. Hahhaha

[81BX]

Apparently youre not supposed to grab their no no's

[wsoutlaw87]

@81BX haha if the damn president can do it than so can I. Seriously though what is feminist politics. Why are some afraid of women

[coolbeans]

I'd say he's already done in every game he's been the lead writer/creative director of, to varying degrees of success.

*SPOILER for The Last of Us*

I mean the final level of TLOU is about Joel saving Ellie, like a damsal in distress trope. But rather than playing it straight, it subverts that trope by the grey context presented. Instead of looking heroic, it makes him come off as selfish.

[Thatguy-310]

"I mean the final level of TLOU is about Joel saving Ellie, like a damsal in distress trope"
That would be true but you're ignoring the whole context of the story that led to that so I have to disagree.

[coolbeans]

I'm ignoring the whole context of the story despite bringing up specifically the complexity of it in my first comment? I've played the game. I know the plot. It's pretty easy to spot the similarities of saving what could be considered a kidnapping victim/female--one of game's most typical tropes--but subverting it to mean something altogether different. Joel's actions are put in a light that isn't noble and pure with trumpets in the background, but of something else.

[rainslacker]

I'd rather it not bring in the politics. Political stories tend to be preachy and only look at things from one viewpoint...usually that of the creator. At least I feel that there aren't really that many devs that can actually deal with such things properly, and those kinds of things tend to come off shallow.

However, personal politics doesn't necessarily mean that it will be political. Just means that certain political things he believes will be reflected in the story or the characters. There isn't anything really wrong with that. In the case of TLOU, it's not a political story, so I doubt it'll dwell on such things, and will simply just be things that are character aspects, but don't define the character. Left Behind is a pretty good example of this, and if they keep it in that tone relevant to the story and characters, then it shouldn't be a problem.

[opinionated]

Obviously. He's a terrible writer imo. His political views are as fictional as his games. No left wing hacks would survive the apocalypse lol. His views would be the first to die out. Besides maybe food rationing...

[OhReginald]

"Zombie lives matter"..LOL

[SpinalRemains138]

The game was excellent, and there being gay characters doesn't make him a 'left wing hack', it merely makes the game realistic.

Your comment says that you prefer to ignore reality.

[opinionated]

No, that doesn't make him a left wing hack. His left wing hack politics make him a left wing hack. There is nothing realistic about his views or games. I'm a realist in the purist form, I don't ignore anything.

[medman]

And what exactly have you written that we can read and see if you're a genius level to be calling Druckmann "terrible"?

[Eiffel]

I really only questioned his writing in TLOU when it came to Joel's daughter. I mean, I get what he was going for and all but I just couldn't bring myself to care all that much for a character I saw for less than ten minutes of the game, not much character development to go by to build anything emotional to feel like any real loss. Maybe it's an easy sell for people with kids, I don't know.

That and Ellie being unable to swim for the entire game and Joel never taking the time out of the months with her to teach her how. In that post-apocalyptic situation you'd think protecting her would be all the more easier if a body of water wasn't what ultimately stood between her and imminent death. He takes a moment to teach her how to shoot, but teaching her how to avoid an impassible obstacle for her own survival. Nah. Joel must crave the abuse.

[BlakHavoc]

Reasonable, but you're talking about one of the most touching moments in video game history lol

[Eiffel]

It's my guilty pleasure that I laughed after that scene went black lol. Not because of the severity of the situation, but just how hollow it felt.

[wsoutlaw87]

The game isn't about his daughter. You wanted more development for her? You are just trying to me ridiculous.

[rainslacker]

I think the point was to get you to connect to Joel, not his daughter. It set the stage for why Joel did the things he did throughout the rest of the game with Ellie.

As far as the swimming thing, that was just one of those story things that served a game mechanic. I think you're looking too much into it.

I hate to say it, but you criticize his writing skills, I criticize your comprehension.

[Eiffel]

@wsoutlaw87

Yeah, if you're gonna include some dramatic scene with music and all but give the character less than a few minutes of screen time than even some background characters, the emotional impact is null. The game is as much about his daughter as Joel's reason for distance with Ellie throughout most of the game.

@rainslacker

I got that she's more plot device than character, but the execution of her death as emotionally drawn out just didn't deliver for me. It didn't connect me to Joel on anymore of a level than it did with Ellie, or any other character that otherwise gave me some background story of dead parents, brother, sister et cetera. Equally as hollow. I felt worse for Tess than any other character that died because she's actually around longer than ten minutes allowing you to see her character development, her death had a larger impact. Yeah it's a game mechanic, but even toward the end after Ellie learned to shoot she's no longer useless as a party member, which opened up new areas for her as a character and her development that added to gameplay. Ellie still needed Joel to move debris and such for her to get across certain areas. It's not like that didn't get old after the last five times prior to finding the hydroelectric dam considering enough time went by between those two brothers being dead for something to change that up. Seems like a missed opportunity to mix that up puzzle wise to be honest.

Go right ahead. I don't know you. It's no skin off my nose lol.

[BlakHavoc]

He's a terrible writer yet his games are praised for their stories...ok, nice logic.

[opinionated]

I don't base my opinion on what other people praise. I base it on my thoughts of his writing and directing. He's a worse director than he is a writer. He should write movies, not games.

[wsoutlaw87]

Dont humer his bs as a real opinion. He really doesn't like women and he's trying to get attention by being inflammatory. Its typical really.

[NotanotherReboot]

Agreed. This guy would ruin the character of Daxter i he wrote him in modern day.

[Tankbusta40]

No thanks Neil, why don't you go march or protest instead of putting this stuff in a video game. If this game is full of anti Trump-isms and all that, its a no buy for me

[SpinalRemains138]

Why would Trump be in the game? Do political views begin and end with him? He may see himself as the Alpha/Omega of contemporary life, but the truth is that he is neither.

[bluefox755]

That's all anyone talks about these days, particularly the left media. We get it, "he's literally Hitler", lol.

[Inzo]

"Why would Trump be in the game? Do political views begin and end with him?"

If you listen to the Hollywood elite, it is clear that their political views begin and end with Trump.

[FunAndGun]

lol, if you boycott everything that makes fun of Trump you are going to have a sad and boring 4 years. Have fun!

You can still buy 3 Doors Down albums and watch Charles in Charge re-runs though.

[Inzo]

I am no Trump fan, I think he is a giant A-hole but you are kidding yourself if you think that he is going to be in office for only four years.

[Christopher]

Bit defensive to jump on the "he is anti-Trump in his game" train before we see anything of it, isn't it?

[IIFloodyII]

Clicker Trump is best Trump!

Edit: How silly of me, Trump would definitely be a Bloater.

[wsoutlaw87]

Why would trump be in it? Why are trump fanboys so scared of hearing thoughts about him.

[Ristul]

We play games to have fun, it's an escape from reality. No, we don't want other peoples political views forced upon us, no one likes a story that feels like it has an agenda showed inside.

[Thatguy-310]

Stick to Mario.

[bluefox755]

Ugh, really? This is concerning. He's pretty tight with Sarkeesian, and a known SJW. He's on record saying that he has literally changed character genders just for the sake of diversity. Can't you just tell a great story? And keep your own personal agenda out of it? Is that really too much to ask?

[Pandamobile]

In other words: "Can't they just stop being artists with opinions and just adhere to my personal views?"

[bluefox755]

No. Not that at all. Just stop using their medium as a political soap box. You're putting words in my mouth.

[moegooner88]

You summed it up perfectly. Going by their whining, the new gen of gamers are apparently writers, programmers, and developers all in one.

[Inzo]

This is in no way reference to Druckmann but its one thing to be, as you put it, an artist with opinions, its another thing to force your own ideologies onto other people.

[starchild]

I think there's a pretty big difference between writing a great story that can be enjoyed by many different people with varying viewpoints and trying to force blatant and contentious political messages into a story. I believe we all know the difference.

I've seen many television shows and movies be ruined by the writers trying to politicize them too much. I don't care which side of the aisle it comes from.

There's a lot I disagree with on both the liberal and conservative sides of the spectrum. I tend to agree most with Libertarian philosophy, but even then I don't want to buy into package deals. When people get overly political with their music, movies and games it's generally a big turnoff to me. But if you're going to be political, at least be up front about it and call it what it is: a political statement...a political work. That way we can judge it for what it is, not be blindsided by insidious propaganda we are strongly opposed to when all we were trying to do is enjoy some entertainment.

[Goldby]

@inzo
"This is in no way reference to Druckmann but its one thing to be, as you put it, an artist with opinions, its another thing to force your own ideologies onto other people."

no one is forcing anyone to buy this game, if you are pissed hes going to put his views into it, which he already did in the first, then simply don't buy it, ND wont lose any sleep knowing you didnt buy their game

[Goldby]

"Can't you just tell a great story? And keep your own personal agenda out of it? Is that really too much to ask?"

Ever consider what make his stories so rich are that he puts in his own personality into it. makes it more believable that way.

[FunAndGun]

If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Is it too much to ask that a team make a game how they want? There are literally thousands of games out there with zero political views and icky gay stuff for you to consume.

It's not the fault of progressive for making the most popular games that you want to play, but are going to skip because certain content penetrates your dull mind and affects you for some reason.

Also, almost all artistic mediums use politics and society as fuel for creation.

[bluefox755]

Yeah. Pretty sure I'm allowed to express my opinion. If I want to say that I don't like games where the devs push their political agenda, I'm allowed to. Sorry if that's an issue for you. It's cool that you pretend that you know me though, and insult me. I don't care what his politics are, I don't care if he likes or hates gays or women, I just don't want him preaching to me through his medium, that's it. If you like that...COOL. I don't, and I'm simply expressing my displeasure. If you don't like it, well, I'm sure you'll live.

[BlakHavoc]

It's only an issue to conservative ppl, you know, ppl that like to ignore real social issues. I'll never understand why some ppl are against diversity.

[rainslacker]

If changing the gender had no effect on the character, or story in a major way, then does it matter? If changing the gender caused drastic changes, or didn't make sense in the context of the story, then that is what people mean when they say "forced", even if they don't understand what "forced" means.

Personally, and to take it off subject, since you mention soapboxing, I think what annoys me about a lot of this stuff with entertainment media creators, is that they seem to jump on bandwagons. Druckmann went years without every bothering with this stuff. Never mentioned it, and I can't think of any instances in his games where it was questionably inserted due to outside pressure. Not that I feel he's been pressured here, but it seems that the sudden turn around is kind of shallow to become someone who tries to make statements with some kind of authority. It kind of reminds me of when celebrities take on a cause, and while I'm sure they believe what they preach, it comes across as shallow, because it's one of those things they've just come to realize.

In these cases, I feel they over compensate without really understanding, and that is dangerous, because it gives power to outside influence, as opposed to critical research and reflection on the creators part, thus leading to a very shallow piece of work they create the further they delve into it.

Not that I feel Druckmann has really shown this in his work yet to a degree that is off-putting, and I seriously hope that it doesn't happen in TLOU2 and ruin the legacy of the franchise, but just putting it out there that I don't feel he's at a place where he can truly represent what his personal politics are in a way that would be meaningful and fluid to the overall story he may try to create.

Hopefully, and likely, there are those at ND, and within Sony's production team, that will help put it all together. These things aren't made in a bubble, and even the most devout person will listen to reason, or at least listen to the producer who does understand the market. I think everyone at Sony and ND know that TLOU2 isn't a game you can screw up on, and going overboard with political statements isn't likely to be tolerated. There are places for that...but those places aren't in one of Sony's best new franchises which could give them decades worth of sales to bank off of. Sony knows this, so they'll reign in Druckmann if necessary.

[BizarroUltraman]

Oh wait but I thought there was no politics in games!!! Bring it on...

[ClayRules2012]

Heck, if we find out that Ellie's mother ( by some chance has a sister ) which happens to be Hillary Clinton, and she comes to fight the fireflies with Ellie ( her niece ) to fight the (BIG BAD ) leader of the Fireflies "Donald Trump" I'm sure it'll be an entertaining experience :)

joking aside, I have faith & trust that the "Story" Neil believes should be told in The Last of Us Part 2 will be Real, Honest, Genuine, and True to Ellie. Some people I know have said " The ending to TLoU was crap" "I hated it" "Why wasn't I given a choice, in that moment, where Ellie says to Joel ( Swear to me... Swear to me that everything that you said about the Fireflies is true?' and he says ( I swear ) why couldn't I have been given the choice to to be honest with her?"

Hit X to be honest to Ellie.
Hit Triangle to lie to Ellie.

I personally say, you, as the player, were never meant to have control over how this story is meant to be told. If you didn't like how Joel lied to Ellie, that's fine. If you were disgusted with the actions he took to get Ellie back, that's fine. I understand that, and I was personally angry with him for killing that one guard in the hospital so senselessly, when he asked where Ellie was, and than when he didn't reply to Joel fast enough, Joel shoots him, than the guy answers and Joel either shoots him again in the stomach or just in the head or both of those, I was so angry with Joel. Same with Marlene asking Joel to let her live, and he shoots her. I was so disgusted with Joel. But I understood why he did what he did. This girl ( Ellie ) comes into his life, and has given him a Real purpose, Real reason to keep fighting & living in this MESSED up world.

I have faith in not only Neil & the Naughty Dog team, but I also have faith that Ashley & Troy believe in the story that's being told. Just all my opinion.

[Hedstrom]

Well he is basicly saying that he always works from his own political view and will do the same in TLOU part 2.

[cfc83]

Ellie loves a woman who wants to go to war with russia, but didn't get the job ?

[NicSage]

Well another game to pass on

[gamejediben]

There is a line between too much politics in art and just influencing style. For example J.R.R. Tolkien let his politics color his work but they never controlled it. People like Michael Moore are entirely controlled by their political beliefs and are unable to see outside of that lens. Having said all that, I loved TLOU and can't wait for Part 2. But if Druckman turns it into "Anita Sarkeesian's SJW Paradise" then no one will want to play it.

On a side note: Sarkeesian is starting to become the next Jack Thompson. Gamers are getting so tired of her she even inspired a game called "FemiNazi: The Triggering" https://www.kickstarter.com...

[Christopher]

***For example J.R.R. Tolkien let his politics color his work but they never controlled it.***

Yeah, which is why he edited the Hobbit to line up with The Lord of the Rings?

@below: I will greatly disagree with that. The effort he took to edit an existing work to support his political ideals in the trilogy has everything to do with his politics, IMHO. He could have just as easily had written another way to have it work, but he, IMHO, become more involved in his politics than telling a story that he rewrote the other. Just because other authors have done it doesn't make it right or deflect from the politic-focused message of Tolkien. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[gamejediben]

Non-sequitur.

The one has nothing to do with the other. Editing The Hobbit to make the One Ring more sinister had nothing to do with his politics. Authors revise their work from time to time to make them fit together better. Just like video games get updates and patches to make them run more smoothly. Politics never entered into the equation.

[_-EDMIX-_]

"J.R.R. Tolkien let his politics color his work but "

??? No bud.

I'm not sure why you're trying to argue the degree of involvement of politics in people's games or their artistic work at the end of the day you're never really going to know just how deep their political beliefs went into specific plot developments or even characters and their stories.

I'm sorry but you're not inside of this man's mind to have ever known just how much something politically may have influenced the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.

Somebodys subjective artistic belief is what is creating the game in the first place buddy, you're never truly going to know just how much a specific religious or political or whatever beliefs influence specific things inside of anyone's artistic work.

[gamejediben]

Maybe not but I can certainly tell when politics takes over the story and I start getting queasy from the all the preaching. Its actually really easy to tell when that line is crossed.

[_-EDMIX-_]

@game- except you're never really going to know all the plotlines that were specifically based on his political influences.

You are reading what the writer believes you are reading what the writer feels in I'm sorry but you're never going to know just how much those political influences changed his life and have influenced his work.

Like.... never.

Over here in the United States one of my ENC 1101 professors was talking about creative writing and ask "what all of the author's beliefs could be"

The entire class begin to raise their hand giving their own personal answers and after about 30 minutes I begin to realize that she's not answering any of the class simply because it's never going to be feasibly possible for you to ever know 100% of all of their beliefs.

I'm sorry but you're not inside his brain you're not going to know what this man believed or why he specifically wrote a plot line to be a specific way for all you know the death of some of the characters in his literary work could have simply been to explain why specific political system can't work or should work or vice versa.

Consider as a concept artist when I often create something or even write something I might have my own political or even religious beliefs on why I'm specifically writing something a certain way but the reality is unless I specifically told you you're actually never really going to know.

I'm not even entirely sure why you're trying to argue against what's inside someone's mind and not your own I mean you have to know that's impossible.

You may not believe that the Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit was written based on political belief , but you're not the author , you're never going to know , for all we know this man wrote the entire series based on his political beliefs.

[rainslacker]

To some degree, but Tolkein was very much against the rapid expansion of the modern industrial complex. While Tolkein stated he was against metaphor and allegory in his work, his real world beliefs were most certainly represented in his work, and major plot points of it even.

That being said, one letting their political beliefs influence their work isn't always a bad thing. Tolkein presented his views, and why the felt rapid expansion were bad in a way that made sense to the reader, and they could understand it. In this way, an artist is reflected in their work, and can never be seperated from it. But if Tolkein started becoming preachy, and made it obvious that he was trying to criticize and chastise through his work, the work becomes flawed, because it removes the characters, and makes it about the authors views, instead of being focused on the narrative of the story.

As far as never being able to tell....

If you ever read the works of Terry Goodkind you would notice this progression as the books go on, from great story teller who uses his beliefs to form a good story, to one who is very preachy and transparent that his message is about him, and not the story/characters

Tolkein was a better writer than this though....although some of his short stories in the mythos are very much politically focused.

[fluxmulder]

Yay, more feminist politics shoved down our throats. Can't wait.

[FunAndGun]

oh boo-hoo

[BlakHavoc]

Only little boys are afraid of strong women and feminism.

Edit: feminism is literally about the advocacy of women's rights and equality. Why some guys take an issue with that boggles my mind, some ppl get annoyed cause they feel it's constantly shoved down their throats but fail to realize that they're a part of the problem, a fraction of the populace that love to ignore the issue and pretend it's irrelevant. Same goes for racial inequality, but I know the mention of that topic probably makes you annoyed...

[Stevonidas]

Strong women and feminism are polar opposites.

[rainslacker]

Afraid and annoyed are two very different things.

[mezati99]

this tells me there will be a lot of gayness in this game lol

[Bebedora]

Ann Marie Waters should assist him as a consultant.

[ruefrak]

So the whole game is going to be pro-Brexit? Great.

[bluefox755]

Well, Druckmann is a liberal, so if he knew anything aboubt Brexit, he would likely be against it.

[Inzo]

TLG got story telling in gaming 100% right. A fantastic story told without political or agenda pushing just a pure adventure.

[starchild]

I completely agree with you.

[uth11]

I don't care if the politics agree with mine or not. It's preachy and annoying.

Sounds like I wont be buying because there's too much politics in everything these days, and gaming is a refuge from that

[bluefox755]

Seems like there are a lot of people that like games to be preachy...

[Christopher]

Nothing is a refuge. You want it to be one, but the creators determine what they create, not the medium. I 100% Support you not buying his games, though.

[CaitSith]

I agree with you in that the creator has the right to create whatever he wants and, as a consumer, I also have the right to buy whatever I want. So I won't be buying his games anymore, plain and simple.

[ziggurcat]

all it says here is that he wouldn't avoid his personal politics - it doesn't say that this game is going to be rife with his personal politics.

i think you're jumping the gun a bit.

[Goldby]

jumped the gun, these people are launching themselves off of building with giant slingshots akin to PAIN for ps3

[MrSec84]

This worked out amazingly for the first, I don't see why it wouldn't work for part 2.

[BlakHavoc]

Trust in Neil, the story will be amazing.

[Imalwaysright]

I trust in Neil when Straley is working with him.

[Kornholic]

"For example, the ending of TLoU is very much inspired by my “personal politics.”"

The ending of The Last of Us is the perfect way to deal with moral issues. Instead of saying x is bad, the game made you think for yourself. In that case, there were no right or wrong answers. What I don't want is to have the game tell me what to think.

[Goldby]

and why would he divert so far from that in the sequel.

[strangerthings1995]

I heard they're making Ellie a lesbian.Seems they are on the politically correct bandwagon

[Inzo]

I take it you didn't play left behind then?

[FunAndGun]

I think you are a little late...

[ziggurcat]

uh... that was established in the first game, particularly the DLC.

[strangerthings1995]

I didn't do Left Behind nah...my B

[47]

Druckman is going to make it super easy to pass on this game. I didn't enjoy TLoU nearly as much as others did. I still thought it was a wonderfully crafted game, just not the flawless masterpiece it was made out to be.

[Stevonidas]

It was a good movie but a shitty game.

[Sm3000]

Can someone tell me what that title implies

[NotanotherReboot]

That there will be forced SJW stuff in upcoming ND games

[Goldby]

god you makgni it out to be an informative commerical hal;f way through the game.

10 reasons why knowing a gay or being gay is better for your health.

dude its a videogame, it would be forced down your throat, it will feel natural just liek the first game

[Christopher]

It could mean anything. Anyone who tells you otherwise is just responding based on their own fears and/or bias.

[Goldby]

it means that as an artist he is putting his personal views on subjects into the game.

That could mean anything from social equality, feminism, forces sex work, minimum wage, health care, education, trading routes between north and south america, drug laws. it could mean any of those things.

most likely though it will include some sort of feminism as you play as Ellie in the 2nd one. and there will be some sort of LGBT stance in it as well because Ellie is a lesbian

[NotanotherReboot]

Oh no are you for real. I got so much hate when i pointed this out in ND's most recent games and their upcoming UC game, yet everyone said I was delusional and that theres no feminist SJW stuff present. Well now it's coming directly from the horses's mouth, so there no why you can deny Neil SJW Overlord is hammering his stupid political view sinto his games. ND are ruined

[Christopher]

Someone call the Drama Police. Don't even know what part of his personal politics are included and you've, among others, already come to this conclusion.

[NotanotherReboot]

The writing is already on the wall in his past few games. The fact that Ellie is the main protagonist now shows he's ready to take his next step in attemtping to appease Emperor Anita Sarsqueezian VIII

[Pandamobile]

Imagine being so sensitive that you're triggered by the mere mention of politics influencing the narrative of a video game.

Get Frinker a safe space so he can hide from the scary people :(

[Goldby]

hey frinker in the last of us two, you dont even get to play the role of the protagonist (Ellie)
instead you are playing as the hero (Joel)

Last of us is about Joel coming to terms with himself and protecting ellie. Ellie is the protagonist.

[rainslacker]

That's probably because you never present anything like this when it's relevant, and have a penchant for doing so against Sony exclusives, and against highly acclaimed games.

It's hard to take people seriously if they are constantly contrarian. On top of that, without reading the comment you're referring to, it's hard to know what you based that on. Here, we have a statement from the dev to go off of. With your original statement, you're just some troll who constantly disparages other people's enjoyment of a game.

This time, you aren't even saying what Druckmann is saying, so he hasn't validated you at all, because his statement is pretty broad, and in no way does it imply that TLOU2, or any of his other games, will suffer the fate which you put forth....so you're still just speculating, assuming, and most of all trolling.

[Cy]

Good, then I definitely get to skip this one.

[Razzer]

Ok? I don't recall the "politics" in the ending of TLOU. I played the game twice. Maybe because I was immersed in one of the greatest games ever made. Or maybe because it was so subtle in a way that the game wasn't tripping all over it. That's just good story telling, folks.

[bjjcna]

As long as it's organic and not forced, I don't think anybody will give 2 shits.

[IIFloodyII]

They did a great job with the first, Bill being gay was incredibly well done and not forced down your throat at all, and Ellie felt completely natural, as long as they don't become the only important thing about the characters I welcome it.

[Donnie81]

I trust him because he really hasn't let us down yet. I have some minor complaints about u4 and would have rather played Amy's game but hey he still did awesome. I just want to play an amazing game and I think this will be one

[Chumdiddy]

Loved TLoU. Have ZERO issue with Ellie being gay. Etc.

However, if TLoU2 has you in a lesbian warrior gang out to stop an evil warlord named Ronald Shrump, I'm done (lol).

Just don't cram it down our throats. The first game was subtle about it. I kinda knew Ellie was gay before the DLC because they did a great job at slightly giving off that vibe without ever even going near it (plus she's basically Ellen Page). DLC was even a bit understated. You knew almost immediately but even after they kiss there is a huge sense of friendship as much as love.

Just be subtle. TLoU is not the universe to submit your personal political "riot act".

[starchild]

Well said.

[WeAreLegion]

He's an artist. He should feel free to do whatever he wants. I'm just not buying the game, if it's full of one-sided political BS. I hate how close-minded people are, including Neil.

[coolbeans]

This fan's plea strikes me as having the maturity of a pre-teen. Wishing to alter the way Druckmann handles his stories--whether you agree with them or not--despite that being a part of what drove him to write your (this fan's) favorite game of all time? This 'anti-SJW' craze is hitting insane levels of inconsistency.

[RedPill86]

Great. Can't wait to have leftist crap jammed down my throat in a video game. As if Hollywood movies weren't enough. Let's infect all the mediums, shall we? Keep your politics to yourself. Make a game. I honestly don't need the bad guy to be an old man with crap hair and tiny hands. It doesn't interest me. And if word gets out how badly your politics infects this game (and they are left leaning) your product will fail like many others with ham fisted agendas. You can't coast on TLOU success. You actually need to make a good sequel. Your politics is not the place to start development.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Oh boy. Just what consumers want. More political preaching.

[Aither]

Keep shoving your political beliefs into your games Druckmann, see where it will eventually get you. I used to be a huge advocate for Naughty Dog and Sony, but now they are all about pushing an agenda and less about the fun. I would gladly go back and to the days of Mario and Zelda on the NES than dealing with this crap.

[mogwaii]

I cant wait to see what he has in store, bring it on!

[Grandmaster-B]

guys, its not about left or right. but damn, this hillary witch with their pedo cannabalistic forces in high places.
Playing domino with pasta or pizza? Sacraficing chicken to moloch? wake da fug up bros. #pizzagate #franclin cover up

[ITPython]

More power to him, as that is one of the perks of living in a free country. Just as it is my choice to avoid the game and also inform others about this aspect so they can decide if they want to support it or not.

Personally, I already get enough politics jammed down my throat from pretty much every movie, TV show, mainstream media and much of the internet. Gaming has plenty of it as well, and it's getting really really old.

Neil can do whatever he wants to with the game, but he shouldn't be surprised if it ends up costing it a lot of sales if the narrative is laced thick with his political/religious/personal beliefs, which might end up alienating half the audience.

[watchem]

wtf? I see a lot of hate towards Neil Druckmann in the comments of the article and here. Did I miss something? Since when do we hate on the guy?

[SlashHabit]

Don't care. I hope the main villain isn't an orange freak whom whispers into Ellie's ears "I'm gonna grab you by the pussy and make the world great again"

[chase1ne]

Christ the comments in this thread. You're all acting as if he wasn't the one who wrote the 1st game (for which he won multiple awards specifically for his writing).

Looking at another article on the web. It seems the person who made the original tweet to Neil was more about race, gender and sexual orientation. Rather than the personal politics that were found in The Last of Us (Ethics, Terrorism/Activism, Oppression, Martial Law, etc).

It's not about whether he swings left in the political spectrum, supports women's equal rights, his viewpoints on Trump.

[ZombieGamerMan]

Please don't Neil, I actually like your games and don't want to start disliking you

[FunAndGun]

Says a lot more about you than it does him!

[Puertorock77]

Creative story telling always involves the creators personal view. It's creative freedom and they use what ever inspires them to do so. Some of you are complaining on something he already did with TLOU 1.

[AntsPai]

The Last of Us was one of my all time favourite games, pre-ordered on PS3 and PS4. This, I'll wait it out and maybe buy after launch to see if it's going to be a one sided political agenda feeding mechanism or just a great game dealing with difficult subject matter in a post apocalyptic world.

[TheUpbringer]

oooooooh gooooooodiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeee. .................

[guyjean]

I would pre-order TLOU2 with all it's future DLC right now if it was available on psn, that's how much I trust ND with their games. Never have been disappointed. Must say the Jack and Daxter shif they pulled on the Vita was pretty close though.

[AntiZeal0t]

Isn't art often a form of political expression? Who cares if there's an "agenda", if you're strong willed enough to form your own opinion why should it matter to you. Believe it or not, not all games are made with particular people in mind.

[Dizzy11523]

Yep. Gay. As if it's so edgy any more.

[iliimaster]

this game pissed me off, and i didin't even know it till i beat the game because the story line and characters were amazing... this game was so good i didin't even realize i wasn't getting trophies.... by the time i beat the game I think i only had a few

[RevXM]

Im tired of identity politics, I hope the game doesnt make a huge effort to go overboard and beyond logic to push a illogical or extreme narrative.
Make interesting characters and good story. The first game is great and balanced not pushy about ethnicity or sexuality or anything. its just naturally diverse and doesnt feel forced or odd and that is good, but if the game feels like a huffpost article or sarkesian video or something Ill be annoyed. I trust it will turn out amazing, but I figure its good to get opinions out there for the developer to see how we feel.

[silvacrest]

I think people need to remind themselves that this is a game (probably a very good one), take a step back and realize that if some political views dont mirror your own, it doesn't really matter and its not the end of the world

personally i just want ND to do what they want without being held back by idiots

[NerveGearneeded]

i cant wait for all the i h8 the potus in movies and games.