At the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann and Sony Santa Monica's Cory Barlog discussed the pervasive theme of doubt in game development. Their hour-long conversation covered personal anxieties, creative processes, and the challenges of sequels.
A key difference emerged in their approaches to sequels. Druckmann revealed he doesn't plan multiple games concurrently, focusing intensely on the current project. He views preemptively planning sequels as potentially jinxing the current game's success. Instead, he assesses unresolved elements and character arcs after a game's completion, determining the direction of any potential sequel organically. If no compelling path exists, he suggests the characters' narrative may conclude. He cited the Uncharted series as an example, emphasizing the iterative nature of their development. Each sequel built upon the previous, exploring new narrative avenues for Nathan Drake.
Barlog, conversely, employs a more elaborate, long-term planning strategy, connecting current projects to ideas conceived years prior. While acknowledging the inherent stress and potential for disruption this method entails, he finds immense satisfaction in realizing these long-term visions. He highlighted the collaborative nature of game development, acknowledging the influence of diverse perspectives and potential conflicts arising from such extensive pre-planning.
The conversation also touched upon the emotional toll of game development. Druckmann shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as the driving force behind his work, echoing his own passion for game storytelling despite the inherent pressures and negativity.
The discussion culminated in a reflection on the relentless nature of creative ambition. Barlog poignantly described the insatiable drive pushing creators forward, even after achieving significant milestones. Druckmann, while sharing a similar sentiment, expressed a more measured approach, aiming to gradually reduce his involvement in day-to-day operations to foster opportunities for others. Barlog's humorous response, "Very convincing. I’m going to retire," provided a lighthearted conclusion to a deeply insightful conversation.
