500°

New Naughty Dog Project Has Been in the Works Since 2020, Neil Druckmann Given Full Creative Control

Neil Druckmann’s new project has been in development since 2020, with Sony giving him full control over the game but not the announcement.

RaidenBlack169d ago

Can't wait ... new IP from ND.
Hope its the gritty sci-fi one

The_Hooligan169d ago

Whatever they make will be great but I personally would like to see them do a bit lighthearted (uncharted) tone with the next game.

Cacabunga169d ago

Oh no not this moron again…

LoveSpuds169d ago (Edited 169d ago )

I'll take anything to be honest, easily my fave developer but I think I might agree with you personally Hooligan.
After a decade of TLoU it might be nice to see an action romp or something.

SoloZelot90169d ago

To be clear it's a new IP from Neil druckman. It's the first IP where he will be completely in control.

The way some people talk about him he is basically the heart and soul of naughty dog since the beginning so it better be a banger.

Vits169d ago (Edited 169d ago )

Recently, yes, he’s the most well-known name at Naughty Dog, but he’s not really an original employee—more like part of the third generation, having started toward the end of the PS2 era.

Right now, he’s the studio head, but by the time The Last of Us came around, he was already a lead developer. By Part II, he had moved up to creative director and vice president. So when they say it's the 'first IP where he’s completely in control,' it really means he’s not sharing the lead role with anyone else, like he did in most of his other successful games, including The Last of Us and the Uncharted sequels.

Personally, I'm a bit worried about that. I don't dislike Neil's work, but if you look at the games he's been involved in, it becomes clear that he's more of a "movie/book" type of creative. He really struggles with ludonarrative dissonance, and the more control he has over a project, the more that issue seems to show up.

Redemption-64169d ago

He was in control of TLOU. Without him the game would not exist. Why do you think Sony gave him a major promotion after the success of an IP he made? Not only was he the writer, he was one of the creative directors in charge of narrative, Bruce the other creative director was in charge of gameplay. The fact that Sony and HBO worked with Neil rather than Bruce should tell you who was in charge of the narrative/story.

Lightning77169d ago

They could either announce and tease the game next year or wait closer for the release date to announce and show it off then.

It took Last of us 2 7 years so we're looking at 27 26 if we're lucky.

Christopher169d ago

Gotta be honest, we've known about this second studio since 2020 when they did the hiring blitz... but finding out it's full creative control of Druckmann? I'm not as hyped as I thought I would be.

Sonic1881168d ago

I feel the same way. I'm not a fan of Neil Druckmann to take full creative control

lukasmain168d ago

My DREAM, would be Naught Dog tackling THE PUNISHER ip. Doing a brutal Punisher. Like how deaths and kills in the LAst of us 2 were so realisitically brutal.

RaidenBlack168d ago

Whatever the IP, adapted or original, hope he sticks to realistic themes 🤞🏻

Babadook7168d ago

Yeah Neil Druckmann has a magic touch. And this is supposed to be super ambitious (when is is not?).

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 168d ago
169d ago Replies(3)
Berenger169d ago

Literally do not care until you show gameplay and release window.

BrockEmSockEm168d ago

Agreed, I don't care until I see it running well, day 1.

victorMaje169d ago

Ok. Where’s the gameplay? Or a teaser? Will it be ready before the end of the gen?
0 current-gen ND game. It’s kind of embarrassing.

SoloZelot90169d ago (Edited 169d ago )

Whoa there...this is Neil druckman....he's a genius!

He figured he can get paid for an entire generation without releasing a single new IP or follow-up sequel/prequel. I'm sure he'll be replaced soon after their new game. I gotta say that naughty dog has clearly changed since he took over...they seem entirely self absorbed because of previous leadership success.

Eonjay168d ago

Not really a fair comment as the multiplayer game he did announce was canceled by Bungie and Sony.

Class_Viceroy168d ago

Funny Bethesda and Rockstar does this with Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Grand Theft Auto and nobody complains about it. They just keep buying the games on 16 different platforms and are some of the highest selling games of all time.

Yet Naughty Dog does this with TLOU and all of a sudden everyone acts like this is something that has never been done before....they are bad guys.

Is it a little annoying that they've done so many remasters and only had 2 games? Sure. Are the 2 games they released probably some of the highest quality produced games in terms of story, acting, graphics, gameplay, fun factor however? Do you get your $60-70 worth? You bet.

I'll take quality over quantity any day of the week. If you want to play a shit load of games, just go on Steam daily. They release 50 new games a day on PC.

SoloZelot90168d ago

@eonjay
They should have released it since they promised it would be part of the second game and removed it with the promise of it arriving later. But you're right...he almost released something.

@classviceroy
Not sure what your comment has to do with anything I said. I think the same of Bethesda and especially Rockstar.

RaidenBlack169d ago (Edited 169d ago )

You didn't read the article properly...

victorMaje168d ago

But I did, he has all the control, Sony the marketing & announcement decisions, I simply don’t think it’s normal.

ND earned my trust for the previous games they released but my trust is not limitless.
0 games this gen. Not even an announcement for the pro? Is Sony ok with that? Are they punishing themselves for trying to force Factions 2.0 LS & now have completely given carte blanche to Neil?

An article about a statement that their next game has been in the works since 2020 is just not enough for me.
Would’ve been nice to have a little sthg palpable. This is ND, not an indy dev. Shouldn’t they have sthg that can be shown or announced by now?

Eonjay168d ago

Didn't there last game release 2020. Plus they released the enhanced games as well. Development cycles take a good 5 years now.

victorMaje168d ago

It released for PS4, it’s not a current-gen game. Remasters/remakes don’t count. I want to see a current gen ND game, with all the power PS5 has to offer. Fair enough "dev cycles take a good 5 years", They surely had dev kits from before, & still no announcement…

Eonjay168d ago

Actually they did announce a multiplayer game but it was dismissed by Sony for not being 'live service' enough. So this narrative that they haven't been doing anything is busted.

victorMaje168d ago

I’m not saying they haven’t been doing anything. I’m saying they haven’t been doing what matters. Can I get a new ND single player game announcement?

dveio169d ago

There are only very, very few studios out there which every game they've released not just only became a critical and a commercial success.

But that are also followed by other studio veterans, press and the community watching their achievments in audiovisual game design.

And I think it's safe to say that Naughty Dog are right up that list. Maybe there is noone constantly at the #1 spot, it changes, which is good.

But wether you like Uncharted, TloU1 & TloU2 or not doesn't matter in this regard - technologically speaking, I still to this day find it unbelievably impressive what they've had accomplished with TloU2 in that field. And of course every other game respectively for its time.

There are only a few movies and movie directors out there, comparatively to the whole pool, that won awards in all the 'best' categories. And even fewer that won them twice or even more times.

Naughty Dog is right up in that very unique list, too.

I don't really care what they've been working on, which should be 5 full years soon if development started at the beginning of 2020.

But I really wish they've made it through that rough time at their studio.

"Hopefully" it's going to be a new IP - because I have the feeling that the efforts they had put into the TloU franchise really became exhausting and tiring from a creative standpoint.

You just need to do work on something different from time to time.

Sry for the love letter, but I just love their dedication and work.

The Last of Us is easily in my personal list of the top 5 franchises and videogames ever created.

LoveSpuds169d ago

I am with you all the way squire, nobody comes close in my view. Even for those who didn't like TLoU2, you have to give ND credit for taking chances, pushing boundaries etc. It would have been so easy to just play it safe like so many other extended franchises have.

dveio169d ago

Thanks, mate!

And I absolutely do agree with you, too!

SoloZelot90169d ago

Absolutely. Nobody ever disagreed that technically tlou2 was impressive.

SoloZelot90169d ago

Tlou 1 was truly impressive. Hope they can pull the same impressive feat with a new ip

Aloymetal169d ago

''technologically speaking, I still to this day find it unbelievably impressive what they've had accomplished with TloU2 in that field.''
This 100%. What ND accomplished in terms of fluid and seamless animations in TLOU2 is incredible. Sure there are more versatile and sophisticated engines from Sony, Unreal etc, etc...But so far nothing comes close to TLOU2 animations. Wizards!!

mudakoshaka168d ago

You have bad taste if the Last of Us is in your top 5. It just takes tropes from other games and stories, and they made a good game. Not a great game by a LONG shot. I bet most players never even finished part 2.

Knushwood Butt168d ago

I just completed three runs of Part 1 and am about to start a fourth, this time grounded, and not ng+

dveio168d ago

"It just takes tropes from other games and stories, and they made a good game"

Tell me the game that doesn't.

P_Bomb168d ago

“ I bet most players never even finished part 2.”

According to the PS4 trophy list, 57.9% beat TLOU2. That’s one of the highest completion percentages in ALL of gaming. Ppl need to give credit where it’s due and stop projecting.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 168d ago
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250°

Microsoft CEO Boasts Gaming Success Across Xbox, PlayStation, PC Game Pass, and More

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella shared a bullish report on the performance of the Xbox gaming business also on PlayStation.

Read Full Story >>
simulationdaily.com
2d ago
Christopher2d ago

I'm kind of hoping they drop most hardware support here with a 'good enough console' next generation and focus more on being a publisher. Obviously that is doing well for them and they can still push cloud gaming since it's going to tons of smart TVS and devices. They're now the largest video game publisher in the world, if they aren't doing the most sales and pre-orders, then they would be in trouble. They aren't.

Lightning771d 19h ago

They're gonna try again with a new gen console. If they want to compete they need to actually be competive. Say games like Halo, Blade Elder Scrolls or whatever big game it is. Needs to only be on Xbox and PC. If those games go multiplat it needs to be after a few years or at least a year later definitely not 6 months as a good portion of ppl will wait. Knowing MS they'll probably try and compete, then when things don't go there way they pivot and change the metrics again.

crazyCoconuts1d 14h ago

I don't think you're reading the tea leaves here. Leadership hasn't used the word "exclusive" in quite a while, and they're now boasting about PS sales. They're probably done with consoles and exclusive at this point.

DodoDojo1d 14h ago

I don't think they'll try. They have been beating a dead horse for so long now and they have finally realized it isn't going nowhere.

Fearmonkey1d 11h ago

MS is going to drop being hardware exclusive, they are going publisher and subscription. You will be able to buy a Xbox, but you will be able to play on any platform, that's their new goal. After the hit with Oblivion remastered and major sales on PS5, no more Xbox/PC exclusives long term..

rlow11d 11h ago

I think with the latest price hike on their console, they’re well on their way to axing hardware.

Christopher1d 10h ago

Hardware axing entirely is bad news. They've sold most of their hardware on the Series S this generation. I think if they capture a lower hardware market that can still buy games (especially on sale), they'll actually hit a good market considering how the economy is going. Especially in the U.S. People are going to want to keep gaming and streaming isn't that good for online gaming at all.

Lightning771d 10h ago

@crazy they've stated multiple times they're going another gen. The next gen Controller even got leaked.

Tired of repeating myself whenever it comes to this subject of Xbox having another gen.

IRetrouk1d 8h ago

Xbox consoles are done, all we gonna get is some branded 3rd party shite at best, ms aint interested in being a console manufacturer no more, this much is obvious.

hiawa231d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

Microsoft has too much money for that. They are rumored to release a PC/console hybrid in 2026. They will push all you hope as a publisher while having new hardware next year, so the games will appear on their platform and every other platform which is good to me if the goal is to sell software. If that is where the money is why would anyone fault MS for that? The prices are going to be insane for the next PlayStation and console from Microsoft, though, but it is what they voted for, so this is what we got.

Profchaos17h ago

I think they have to at this point I'm sure they are developing new hardware because they still have to team on payroll but it's absolutely a hail mary play.

They want to try and shift the console to be more like a PC so development costs are drastically reduced you don't need your trams to develop a Xbox version if the PC version will already run jon your console ust have it preconfigured with the graphical settings to make it seem less PC like and job done using uwp apps.

I can see it working for a few years but eventually there will be problems like with the series s as pc hardware typically ages out faster than console hardware I guess the jury's out on how it goes when your console is forced architecture will it still be a development target 5 years later will it slow PC hardware growth if games have to account for such weak hardware 7 years on

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 17h ago
Obscure_Observer1d 15h ago

“We continue to transform the business and focus on margin expansion as we bring our games to over 500 million monthly active users across devices. We ended the quarter as the top publisher by pre-orders and pre-installs on both Xbox and PlayStation Store.”

Amazing news!

Xbox reigning within rival territory.

Big slap in the face of haters who used to crap on Xbox´s games and its quality.

IAMRealHooman1d 15h ago

........you must be part owl, you keep 180ing, your position.

-Foxtrot1d 7h ago

One minute he says that they will NEVER go third party

Now he's all for it like this was Microsofts grand master plan all along.

Obscure_Observer1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

@-Foxtrot

"One minute he says that they will NEVER go third party"

Fact.

"Now he's all for it like this was Microsofts grand master plan all along."

False.

Never said it was Microsoft´s master plan all along. But it is REALLY working for us, as the fact that you´ll be able to enjoy Xbox gamers isn´t killing us. Rather the contrary, we are happy that everybody is funding our games on Gamepass.

Specially now with the imminent new $80 price tag for Xbox first party games.

It is what it is.

IAMRealHooman15h ago

So xbox division can't afford to fund new xbox games on GP subscribers alone?
ooooh your in trouble imma tell papa phil and he's gonna take away your xbox card

IAMRealHooman1d 12h ago

how about that massive price hike?

Relientk771d 10h ago

He loves it. Now he gets to support the trillion dollar company even more by giving them more of his money.

Reaper22_1d 10h ago

I agree.. great news for Microsoft and tbe xbox brand. Your Playstation is now a xbox. Microsoft wasn't kidding around when they said xbox will be everywhere. Now they are laughing all the way to the bank. Imo sony needs to do similar things. They're putting their biggest titles on PC. Might as well bring them over to other consoles too. They aren't making much on console sales.

IAMRealHooman1d 8h ago

Of course MS wants PlayStation owners, their is literally twice as many of them.

andy851d 8h ago

Theres been one game in the last few years that's been good. Indy. Long way to go before you start talking about their games and their quality

Bathyj1d 7h ago

Xbox gamers really are the strangest demographic. Not so long ago you are all saying PlayStation isn't the competition Amazon is because Phil said so. You love to parrot what your corporate talking say. That wasn't actually true Xbox and PlayStation were in direct competition but because Xbox was losing so badly Phil had to act like they weren't.

Cut to present day and Xbox and PlayStation aren't competition because Xbox has no hardware presence it's zero. In fact Microsoft is now a third party publisher and they need PlayStation they don't need Xbox or Xbox gamers they need PlayStation gamers and PC gamers and mobile phone gamers and switch gamers.

You're here cheering for the fact you've become irrelevant because you think it's important that your uncle Phil is making money. You think PlayStation gamers are upset if Microsoft releases more good games in a year than sony does. when Microsoft makes a good game you shout take that playstation!

PlayStation gamers simply say thank you I will third party publisher that makes me games

Reaper22_1d 6h ago (Edited 1d 6h ago )

I think you're confused. Microsoft never saw Sony as their biggest competitor. They've reiterated it for years. Sony is doing the same thing by putting their biggest franchises on PC, which is OK with Microsoft. Their will be more playstaion games coming to Microsoft ecosystems. Maybe not to xbox consoles but playstation won't be the only place you can play their games. Kind of how it is now. I would bet that they are making plans to do just that but they probably fear the backlash from their fanbase which is silly because noone is gonna stop playing games just because it's on on another platform.

Obscure_Observer1d 4h ago

"Cut to present day and Xbox and PlayStation aren't competition because Xbox has no hardware presence it's zero."

If that was remotely true you wouldn´t be so mad about Xbox gamers getting day one games on Gamepass that you have to pay full price for.

"PlayStation gamers simply say thank you I will third party publisher that makes me games"

And we´re thankful for Playstation gamers supporting Xbox games funding our day one games on Gamepass.

Like I said: Everybody wins.

gold_drake1d 1h ago

i agree
my friend is also xbox everything, hes the same weird guy ha

gold_drake1d 1h ago

propaganda again?

arent u tired of it yet?

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 15h ago
MrDead1d 15h ago

We brought two of the biggest publishers in the world, cost thousands of people their livelihoods and consolidated a huge part of the industry, look how successful we are at gaming!

crazyCoconuts1d 14h ago

Top Secret Strategy for How to Become the Biggest Publisher in the World:
1. Buy everybody

The3faces1d 13h ago

And this has been standard business practice in every industry. Don't hate the player hate the game! lol

Reaper22_1d 10h ago

Buy everybody....if you can.

Obscure_Observer1d 11h ago

I have no doubt that the vast majority of developers and studios will be looking at Microsoft as far job security is a concern.

Microsoft will allow its studios to release their games to every single platform, which means more investment on new games, more money, more jobs positions, better payment, benefits and recognition among gamers worldwide.

You though MS would crash and burn

You want MS to leave gaming forever but GAMERS clearly wants otherwise.

You said MS doesn´t know how to make great games but Xbox games dominating sales on Playstation clearly says otherwise.

Now you also have Playstation gamers to blame for helping the rich to get richer.

I warned you. You were on a fool´s errand all the time.

Now all you can do is watch as MS and Xbox gaming grows bigger and better than ever and release games for everyone!

crazyCoconuts1d 7h ago

At the end of this road, Bethesda, Activision, etc, will still be releasing games for everyone and Xbox consoles will be no more.

If that's what you claim to have foreseen, then congratulations, you win.

MrDead1d 3h ago

You think three major publishers no longer competing and thousands fired to feed the piggies at MS is a good thing, I don't.

More and more owned by fewer and fewer is what you're cheering for, all that leads to is $80 first party games kid.

Luc201d 14h ago

When you have to say that something was a success, it means it wasn't

Show all comments (49)
60°

HITMAN Signature Edition hits Switch 2 June 5 with Mario & Luigi–inspired outfits and full trilogy

HITMAN Signature Edition lands June 5 on Switch 2 with 100+ hours of content and Mario & Luigi–inspired pre-order bonuses.

Read Full Story >>
clouddosage.com
Neonridr7d ago

sucks that it's one of those game cards though. 61GB download required.

ZeekQuattro6d ago

Oh God, I can already see the Luigi Hitman memes returning.

190°

OG Destiny artist recalls Bungie’s “disgruntled” reaction to Halo 4’s art style change

Original Destiny artist Darren Bacon recalls how Bungie reacted to the art style change of Halo 4 by 343 Industries.

Read Full Story >>
videogamer.com
Tacoboto10d ago

Bungie at that time became the most wonderful bunch of hypocrites in the gaming industry. Knowing this now, gosh the entitlement they felt was out of this world.

Nothing like buying yourself from Microsoft because you don't want to be the Halo Studio anymore, and the FIRST THING you do is sign your next IP over to Activision, for a DECADE, while they are in the middle of ousting the heads of Infinity Ward so they can exert even more control over COD while screwing out the devs at IW...

Should've come as no surprise then that Activision gutted the content of Destiny 1 before launch and was a horrible partner through Destiny 2, until history repeated itself and Bungie had to split from Activision only to wind up in the arms of another major conglomerate that also doesn't know how to handle these unmanageable devs.

Profchaos10d ago

Tti their credit they praised the technical abilities of 343 and I remember at the time thinking halo 4 was a huge graphical leap above reach everything else was rubbish when I actually got to play it but there was no doubt it looked good for the 360 and is probably the best looking game on the system.

But ultimately I think bungie has always had a leadership problem and going independent ultimately proved this it's only getting worse with studio heads being outed by Sony for abuse allegations seems like all bungies past success has been in spite of management not because of it.

But really I think the bungie we have today is not the same one we had in that Xbox era of Bungie

PhillyDonJawn10d ago

I liked the artstyle change. For the most part. Something looked worse but most of everything else looked better. Weapons and vehicles for sure. The wraith come to my mind instantly.
And how can they get mad when the bungie changed it with Halo Reach?

Sciurus_vulgaris9d ago

I know a lot of people dislike Halo 4’s arts style, but there’s thing about it I like and dislike. Personally, the Halo 4 design of Master Chief’s armour is my favourite depiction of the character’s armour.