Last Of Us’ Neil Druckmann Would Love To Create The Punisher or Ghost Rider Game

Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller asked what established IPs he’d love to make and Neil Druckmann responded.

[Sonic-and-Crash]

that s fine go wherever you want and develop those games ...leave ND alone to find the magic again

[Snookies12]

Are you trying to imply that Druckmann is hindering the studio? Because he was a large part of the 'magic' behind the original Last of Us, as well as the Uncharted franchise. People seem to forget that little detail a lot.

Either way, I'd rather he just worked on a new IP or something honestly. As cool as one of those games would be, with a huge production value and a talented team behind it.

[Sonic-and-Crash]

i m bit sceptical about both games you mention .....yes he made LoUS and U2/U4 but he was always working with Bruce and other chief members of ND (which imo were the real talents behind the success) ....only LoUS2 had him as the sole director and no matter if you like it or not , didnt surpass or matched any of the previous games

also personally i dont find any of those IP s interesting for a big AAA production game that will be killer ap

[bouzebbal]

David Jaffe created one of the most iconic franchises in video games history.. See where he's at now.. He could be the most talented, but he needs the right people around him.
Druckman is another story.. Yes he directed TLOU1, but the guy is so arrogant and many hate his narcissistic personality.

[Snookies12]

@Sonic-and-Crash "only LoUS2 had him as the sole director and no matter if you like it or not , didnt surpass or matched any of the previous games"

Wait, what? That's an opinion. You act like it's a fact. Are you talking about sales or quality? Speaking from a technical standpoint, it's leaps and bounds better than the original in every way. Can't speak for the sales on surpassing the original. As I'm not sure on that front. Also, Druckmann was a "co-writer and co-creative director" on every Uncharted game aside from 3. You think he's just given titles like that for show? Obviously he had a HUGE part in these beloved games along with having a HUGE part in the original Last of Us that everyone seemed to love. The man has proven the quality of his work through and through. Sounds like you're grasping at straws there with no real proof.

[Kaze88]

I think Amy Hennig did more good as a writer back on Uncharted and original TLOU than what Druckmann. TLOU2 is his only project where he was the lead in story, vision and direction.

[darren_poolies]

@Kaze88 Amy Hennig didn't have anything to do with TLoU.

[gamer7804]

Last of us one was great but his giant ego and newfound muse have become his downfall. Also ND work life balance has caused high turnover so not the same people working on the same game.

[RazzerRedux]

"Last of us one was great but his giant ego and newfound muse have become his downfall. "

When did his "downfall" happen again? He was promoted to c-president of Naughty Dog. TLOU 2 is running away with GOTY awards.

Downfall? Hilarious.

[mikeslemonade]

Nah just give us TLoU3

[kimbomma1]

@Sonic-and-Crash

"yes he made LoUS and U2/U4 but he was always working with Bruce and other chief members of ND (which imo were the real talents behind the success)"

Wait Bruce was the real talent behind the success? Please correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the story of TLOU 1 the most praised part about that game? And wasn't Neil the lone writer on that game? Also last I checked Bruce has never written anything at all so how exactly is he "the real talent behind the success" of a narrative driven game whose actual gameplay left much to be desired?

I swear ya'll could at least make better arguments and use better examples if you're gonna try and discredit Neil's talent!

[frostypants]

@Snookies12 "Speaking from a technical standpoint, it's leaps and bounds better than the original in every way."

The director has relatively little to do with that.

[RgR]

But besides the idea of the virus....everything else wasn't him.

If he had his way with the first game I gurantee you it would not have been the great game it is.

Bruce and others were able to take his idea and make it into the greatness that it was.

Time and time again his story was rejected. ND took it and changed it entirely in order to create a great game out if it.

[RememberThe357]

Snookie standing on facts and reason, it's great to see. I don't even like TLOU2 that much but y'all are just making up shit to justify your bias. It's okay to just not like something without attacking the people who made it.

[gamer7804]

@razzer. Downfall happened when less people started enjoying the second game than the first.

[Bobertt]

Look at Wonder woman and Wonder woman 1984. In the first one Patty Jenkins was the director but she did not have total control. Warner Bros and the other talent balanced out her shortcomings but when she was given full control in 1984 she fired those who made the 1st one great and we ended up a with a shitty sequel.

[RazzerRedux]

"yes he made LoUS and U2/U4 but he was always working with Bruce and other chief members of ND (which imo were the real talents behind the success)"

Only because you liked the previous games more. That is the only basis you have to judge "talent" on. TLOU 2 was factually a very successful game.

"and no matter if you like it or not , didnt surpass or matched any of the previous games"

Why are you applying your personal opinion to others?

[Sonic-and-Crash]

where do you see to apply smthing on smbody ??? ..

.i just mention facts ...either you like it or not, LoUS2 didnt have the same impact on gamers like the previous games...

[TGGJustin]

@Sonic Funny because gamers sure are voting it GOTY just as much if not more so than prior Naughty Dog games. It's closing in on being the most awarded game of all time. Your opinion doesn't represent the millions and millions who played it.

[Mr_cheese]

You stating that "LoU2 didnt have the same impact on gamers" is not fact. That is your jaded opinion because the FACT is, it sold a tonne, has a very high rating, a massive following and a tonne of awards including GOTY.

Please have your opinion but don't try and speak for everybody else.

[RememberThe357]

Sonic, just close your account now. This BS is too much.

[RazzerRedux]

"where do you see to apply smthing on smbody ??? .."

Uh.....I quoted it. Again.... "and no matter if you like it or not , didnt surpass or matched any of the previous games"

"i just mention facts"

No, you just stated your opinion and somehow you think it is factual. It certainly is not.

[Sonic-and-Crash]

ok....but neither is yours where probably you r implying that it had big positive impact as factual opinion ...you do the same thing

[Kilua]

"ok....but neither is yours where probably you r implying that it had big positive impact as factual opinion ...you do the same thing"

So then what parameters can we use to justify whether the game had a positive or negative impact overall?

Metascore?
Game awards?
Sales?
Completion rate by gamers?

TLOU 2 passes all of the above categories with flying colours. But we all know the story behind those metrics: "Game awards are rigged and biased". "Metacritic is biased, journalists are shills and cant be trusted". "O but the sales dropped off after a month and then sold like crap". "Look how many people traded the game in, it couldnt have been successful" - I've yet to see anyone giving compelling evidence of any of these claims.

"also personally i dont find any of those IP s interesting for a big AAA production game that will be killer ap"

So you're saying the last of franchise doesnt qualify as a killer app in your opinion? How? Because it isnt "Interesting"? - Not a very good explanation if you ask me

[lukasmain]

The magic hasn't left. It's still there and it's stronger than ever.

[lukasmain]

"LoUS2 didnt have the same impact on gamers like the previous games"

https://www.gameawards.net/...

The game BY FAR has the most FAN VOTED GOTY awards than any other title last year by a bloody long shot.

So you tell your opinion, and I'm stating a fact here.... FANS loved the game. Loved it so much that they voted it, in more than 80 occasions, they voted it GAME OF THE YEAR. That means THE GAME HAD AN IMPACT. The next highest game only had 12 fan voted goty awards.

So spare people from your jaded bullshit. ND and Niel are Masters in their craft.

[RazzerRedux]

"ok....but neither is yours where probably you r implying that it had big positive impact as factual opinion ...you do the same thing"

My opinion is my own and I've never said otherwise. Don't try to make it about me. Your opinions are completely fine. Just stop pretending your opinions are fact. There is a difference you need to understand.

[Edito]

What magic are you talking about? Name a recent magic that has nothing to do with him.

[anast]

Like it or hate it, Druckman is talented. Actually, he's extremely talented when it comes to games.

[VerminSC]

Bouzebbal

Can you provide 1 single source of him acting arrogant or narcissistic. A tweet, a video anything. I’ll wait

I follow him closely and he is ALWAYS very humble. Whenever he receives an award he immediately mentions THE TEAM not himself.

I have no idea how he has received a reputation for being arrogant.

[jznrpg]

It’s just projection . That’s what narcissists do best .

[Knightofelemia]

Personally I like Ghostrider hate the shitty Nicholas Cage movies The Punisher I love on the Sega Genesis never seen the Dolph Lundgren movie the 2004 movie was good. Punisher Warzone sucked the Netflix series I liked loved how it connected with the Dare Devil series. As for the games that's up to Mickey Mouse and Marvel Spiderman is great yet The Avengers fell flat so it's hard to say what Mickey Mouse and Marvel might do. I wouldn't mind seeing Insomniac try and take on another Marvel hero or even a DC hero.

[UltraNova]

Having a studio with Insomniac's pedigree work on franchise IPs only is a crime. I want them to make a brand new IP.

[GottaBjimmyb]

They are literally releasing R&C in like a couple months.

[MasterChief3624]

So there is this new punctuation mark that was recently announced. It's called a comma. You should look it up! You might find something to love with it.

[lukasmain]

ND would make such a great Punisher game. Brutal in it's realism with violence. AND... they would never dream of changing any of the characters or put a new spin on them. They would be faithful to the source material.

[cell989]

They would definitely throw in their agendas

[kimbomma1]

What agendas exactly? You mean like making a high quality game type agenda, because if so then yes they will most definitely throw in their agendas!

[P_Bomb]

Punisher, uncensored.

[deleted]

Wasn't that basically TLOU2? "The Punish Her"? ;P

[Silly gameAr]

I haven't played a good Punisher game since the PS2 era, and I've never played a Ghost Rider game. I would be good with either one, as long as they're not some PG bs. I want to see a Punisher game that's every bit as violent as The Last of Us 1 and 2, with a killer ass story.

[TheKingKratos]

There was a very good GR game on ps2

It had Gow-like gameplay ... I enjoyed it quite alot

[Silly gameAr]

I didn't even know there was a ghost rider game. Now I gotta check it out.

[TheKingKratos]

Yeah it is a very fun game and when you finish it you will play as Blade as well as a skin

[Rimeskeem]

I'd be down for The Punisher. If they can make it like TLOU2 with brutality I am sure the game would be amazing.

[OB1Biker]

Definitely for the brutal combat and mature perspective. As long as they can come up with a story and characters that make sense and the humility of trying to please the audience.

[Kaze88]

Abby would kill the Punisher after ACT1 anyways.

[Krystof_Kage]

Then you'll kill hundreds of people on a revenge quest, only to realize killing another main character is wrong.

[chicken_in_the_corn]

Please don't. These games deserve to be good

[lifeisgamesok]

And they would be good, done by ND

[jwillj2k4]

It would be just like TLOU. They need to get away from the simple “you hurt me now I kill everyone except the last person” stories. Also mix up the gameplay. I would actually like to see their take on a heavily storied rpg.

[porkChop]

I would love to see a game based on The Punisher. To be honest though, I don't think Naughty Dog would be the right studio for that franchise. If it were to be a PlayStation game, I'd give it to Sucker Punch or Guerrilla.

[MightyHealthy]

I dont trust this druckman as far as I can throw him

[Magatsuhi]

Right, he's probably going to give us an ambiguous gendered villain and that person will kill the punisher n then he's going to attempt to make us sympathize with it.

Keep him away from other franchises, let him create his own dumb IPs and let his moronic base defend idiotic storylines such as tlou2.

[CaptainObvious878]

Couldn't agree more with all of that.

[LucasRuinedChildhood]

lol. The guy wrote and co-directed TLOU and Uncharted 4 and was a lead designer and writer on Uncharted 2.

And now you're calling anyone who enjoyed those games morons because you were offended over an "ambiguous gendered villain" and it didn't offend them. It really is "political correctness gone mad."

[Silly gameAr]

You have to ignore idiots like that. In their mind, everyone is dumb and wrong except them.

[lukasmain]

He would NEVER do that.

He would be true to The Punisher's source material. The game would also be brutal as Fk. Naughty Dog would make an exceptional Punisher game.

[LoveSpuds]

There is no point trying to discuss this with people who are triggered by an artist letting his own vision shape his work. I will never understand their grievances when they pertain to an artist creating the characters they wanted and that, importantly, were portrayed in such a sensitive and believable manner.

If you weren't paying attention you might never know that Bill or Ellie were gay in the first game, it was so well handled and believable. Whilst Ellie's sexuality is more apparent in the second game, I can honestly say it never felt like it was shoehorned into the game, and the moments with Dina were so well done. I was honestly utterly captivated by the 'take on me' guitar scene, one of the most authentic and emotional scenes I have seen in any piece of media.

These people rarely have a problem with freedom of expression when games or media cover issues they care about, but feel differently when it offends their outdated sensibilities.

[MasterChief3624]

This is the second comment I've seen you make in this section about how they would "NEVER change the characters or source material." And I'm not really sure where you're getting this idea? I mean I don't think there's a sign that they would change things, but there's also no sign that they wouldn't, either. Just wondering where you're getting these thoughts.

[anast]

Can you give any evidence as to why the storyline was idiotic? Or are just a part of the usual pack of parrots?

[moriarty1889]

yeah he would propably make the punisher a pissed off gay or transgender person out for revenge. I’m sure he will try to push that into any new game he makes.

[lukasmain]

You forgot the /s

[LoveSpuds]

I sure hope you are being sarcastic because if not, this is the most pathetic and childish comment I have seen today.

[Profchaos]

Imagine if they found a way to give a conclusion to the Netflix tv series through a ND game.

I kind of want to see them explore a new IP anyhow I love their work on tlou and uncharted but another last of us isn't needed yet uncharted has been wrapped up nicely and I would love to see them try something new

[lellkay]

TLOU2 engine could work for a Punisher game no doubt.

[anast]

Especially made for next gen. ND has always been about maximizing tech. The game would look awesome.

[Fonsecap]

Yeah Neal do that, and don't forget to kill both the Punisher and Ghost Rider in the first few hours, and make us play as the person who killed him for the rest of the game, that would be sweet.

[anast]

The death of Joel hurt you that bad?

[Krystof_Kage]

TLOU2 is The Last Jedi of video game sequels. Nobody is looking forward to or honestly cares about a Part 3.

[Fonsecap]

No it did not, because it's just a video game man, it's not a big deal, but I like to play videogames, and play them with my favourite characters, because you know playing video games is supposed to be fun, and removing one of my favourite characters of a game, a movie or show just also removes my willing of playing it or watching it. But it was Neil's game and story and he can do whatever he wants, however I don't have to agree with it do I?

[jznrpg]

*******SPOILER****

I was really upset when Joel died but it totally makes sense in the world that was created . Joel was not in any way a good guy before the first game, he says it himself . Ellie softens him , because he felt like he had his daughter again when finding and saving Ellie. He let his guard down after settling down with her and his past came to haunt him . It’s very believable and makes total sense in the story . I don’t like that he died , but in a way I was expecting it . It was set up in the first game and I thought he was going to die in the first game .

[aaronaton]

Noone cares about comic book game adaptations, just look at Marvel Avengers that released last year.
Comic book films are now dead too, and coupled with covid, they have been part of the downfall of modern cinema for the last 10years.

[Applejack]

What about Spider-Man? That game was a huge success on the PS4 and is doing great on the PS5 as well. I think people saw the writing on the wall during the beta for Avengers. Quality single player > GAAS.

[NeoGamer232]

Ya, that was pretty much the stupidest comment I have seen in a long time. Especially since Spider-man MM was just released for holiday 2020. And sold 4.5 mln copies..... That is an attach rate of greater then 50%... Name another launch game that got 50% of gamers to buy it? Yup no interest.

And even Marvel Avengers which was critically executed in the reviewing press still had massive sales.

Not to mention Lego Marvel Avengers and Lego DC Batman...

And speaking of Batman that franchise seems to do well with the Arkham releases.

Iron Man VR did well too...

There is really nothing to back up what this person says other then the digital space taken up by the post.

[Giblet_Head]

I applaud you for putting the capeshit problem on blast.

[BlaqMagiq1]

Umm Spiderman on ps4 sold over 20 million copies and is considered one of the best superhero games ever made. The problem with Avengers isn't that it's a superhero game. It's that it's a GAAS with terrible combat and a forgettable story. If it had Spiderman PS4's quality it would've been just as great.

[anast]

I agree about films. Films now are like McDonald's, microwaved crap. But I think there is room for certain characters in gaming.

[LoveSpuds]

I disagree, with respect. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good popcorn movie like a superhero flick and there are plenty of indie and art house movies out there. You might even argue that these huge blockbusters were keeping cinema alive as the drew in audiences far larger than the less mainstream movies.

I think it's too easy to adopt a snobbish attitude to super hero movies and TV shows but in my opinion they are usually embued with fantastic production values, enjoyable stories and under appreciated performances from the cast. There is a reason Marvel movies draw the biggest audiences, or why The Boys, The Umbrella Academy or Punisher were popular.... Its because they are good to watch.

Now, if you want to argue there are too many shows, that is a different conversation....

[Skuletor]

No

[NotanotherReboot]

A trans Punisher would be pretty badass to be honest

[Shiore2u]

Where they take revenge against quacks that made them into a crude mockery of nature's perfection

[lukasmain]

That would be horrendous.

Naughty Dog would stick to the real source material and not change it.

[MasterChief3624]

Just keeping tally. This is the third comment you've made about Naughty Dog not changing the source material. I'm starting to think you're Neil.

[Games1st]

Any of them would be cool.

[anast]

That would be cool. I'd rather play a Watchmen game, but I would play either one if Druckman were behind it.

[cell989]

And then goes on to turn it controversial by introducing a woman version of the Punisher 🙄 no thanks

[MasterChief3624]

Uh... I mean, there is Jenny Cesare in the Punisher: Widowmaker storyline. So they could definitely do that. She's basically exactly what you're describing.

[cell989]

Yeah but we want Frank Castle and you know it

[Hitman007]

Bye

[CrimsonWing69]

How ugly will the the characters look?

[Lighter9]

I would love to see a western ghost rider game.

[spicelicka]

Didn't an ND dev or ex-dev just recently say to Geoff K. that we need more focus on new IP's?

[Hitman007]

Probably be a gender x character have to shave the beard off in order to level up 😅 i can see myself banned again oh well who cares 😂

[melons]

I want Housemarque to make a Punisher game.

[GrizToof]

Please don't. The last thing I want to see is the punisher get beat to death by a tranny that your forced to play as, then he becomes the new gay punisher. I know it will earn you another game of the year award but that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

[TheKingKratos]

you clearly never played the game because you never play as tranny whatsoever and she was straight too

What a dumb comment

[Abnor_Mal]

I would love to see a punisher game made with that Naughty Dog style of gratuitous violence. I could see it having a very gripping storyline that would anger some but be loved over all.

Unfortunately, due to the times we're currently living in in America, the Punisher skull symbol is being used to push a mindset it seems. Because we have people storming government institutions while wearing the skull on Anerican flag, and thin blue line badges. Now there's calls for the character to be discontinued.

https://screenrant-com.cdn....

[Silly gameAr]

It's really a disgusting time we're living in.

[Abnor_Mal]

Yes it is, just finished looking at the inauguration, would not have been surprised it something jumped off.

[MasterChief3624]

The Punisher on PS2 and Xbox was such an underrated and great game. It's still fun to this day. I would love to see what Neil could do with a new Punisher game, though I'm sure it would eschew the more arcadey feel of that 2005 one, which I'm not too hot about. I like when games are fun and less devastating, which is why I've avoided playing Last of Us Part II and other, more serious games. Punisher is definitely capable of having a mature and overly serious tone. I hope, if it comes to fruition, it is still a lot of fun, though.

[lukasmain]

Yes that's all well and good but the real key here is this... Niel will fall in love and get married to the source material. /s

[MasterChief3624]

Hahaha. I see what you did there, and I deserve that. Thanks for being a good sport :)

[neomahi]

And he'd be gay or trans with our luck.....

[Atticus_finch]

Sounds like that what you want.

[Nicknasty]

So we can get a female punisher and trans ghost rider possibly? Yea, sounds great to me, lol. Seriously, people like him need to stay outta video games and pick a more suiting profession, like Broadway musicals or cross dressing. GTFO

[Atticus_finch]

People like you need to find a safe space where everything is made to please because God forbid that anything disagrees with you.
SNOWFLAKE ❄️❄️❄️

[Nicknasty]

Yea, you’re one to talk. Let’s talk about snowflakes, you people invented the word! Lol, banning people because you have a difference of opinion. Safe space? Haha, I’m still here. Your people would run in a corner and hide. You punks invented all that, and then try to pawn it off on people like me? Lol, what kinda numbskull are you?

[Damd_Bowsr]

A 1st person Punisher with 3rd person melee scenes, almost Doom Style would be very welcome.

[VTKC]

Oh Yeah because it be so great to see said characters the audience like get killed.

[jznrpg]

Many of the same comments . Trans or gay punisher blah blah blah . Get off the hate train it’s not helping your life .

[Atticus_finch]

I don't understand how people who claim to dislike gays and trans talk about them so much. It's like that's all they think about.

[Shiore2u]

if_youre_arachnophobic_you_ must _secretly_want_to_screw_ spiders.jpg

[Atticus_finch]

Brilliant logic because arachnophobes talk about spiders any chance they get.

[Nicknasty]

Somebody is getting pretty defensive about trannys and gays. Get your panties in a wad sweetie?

[Nicknasty]

Really, others are bringing that up? I thought you get banned if you mention the word tranny or gay in here. Are you trans, what do we refer to you as? I don’t wanna get banned if I am incorrect about your gender. I hate every gender just the same by the way. White liberal males are usually at the top of my list, regardless of gender. They invented the word racist.

[DFresh]

If he can leave Naughty Dog, form his own studio and make his own games that would be great.
I'm fine without the SJW nonsense in cough...The Last of US Part II...cough.

[Tedakin]

Woke Punisher..... How wonderful.

[sourOG]

I’d love to see his take on ghost rider. It’s not a franchise I’m fond of anyways. I’d rather him not do punisher though.

[Drithe]

Great. He w[ll turn ghost rider into Ghost Tranny. No!

[jukins]

Would love to see a naughty ghost rider.

[oof6781]

As if Neil "Going in dry" Druckmann can make any magic with other IPs lol