At the recent DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog and Cory Barlog of Sony Santa Monica engaged in an enlightening discussion on the theme of doubt. Over the course of an hour, the two industry veterans delved into their personal experiences with self-doubt as creators, and how they discern the viability of their creative ideas. The conversation also touched on a pre-submitted question from the audience about handling character development across multiple games.
Druckmann's response to the question about sequels was particularly revealing. Contrary to what one might expect from someone experienced in creating sequels, he explained that he focuses intensely on the game at hand, rather than planning for future installments. "That's a very easy question for me to answer, because I never think about multiple games, because the game in front of us is so all-consuming," Druckmann stated. He emphasized the importance of fully investing in the current project, suggesting that thinking about sequels too early could jinx the process. He shared that while making The Last of Us 2, occasional ideas for potential sequels might arise, but his primary focus remains on the current project, ensuring that every compelling idea finds its place in the present game.
Ten-Year Payoffs
Druckmann further elaborated on his approach to storytelling, noting that his method applies to all his projects, with the exception of The Last of Us TV series, which is planned for multiple seasons. For sequels, instead of having preconceived plans, he reviews the existing work to identify unresolved elements and potential paths for character development. If he feels there's nowhere new for the characters to go, he humorously mentioned the option of "killing them off." Reflecting on the Uncharted series, Druckmann explained how each game built upon the last without a set plan, allowing for innovative sequences like the train scene in Uncharted 2, which was not envisioned during the development of the first game.
In contrast, Barlog shared a different approach, admitting to having a detailed plan akin to a "Charlie Day crazy conspiracy board," where he tries to connect current projects with ideas he conceived years prior. He acknowledged the stress and complexity this method introduces, given the involvement of numerous team members over time who might not share the same vision or enthusiasm for earlier plans.
Druckmann responded by admitting that such long-term planning requires a level of confidence he doesn't possess, preferring to focus on immediate tasks rather than planning far into the future.
The Reason to Wake Up
The discussion spanned various topics, including their creative processes and how they determine the success of their ideas. Druckmann shared his reluctance to shift permanently to TV or movies, underscoring his passion for video games. He recounted a moment with Pedro Pascal during the filming of The Last of Us TV series, where Pascal's dedication to art resonated deeply with him. Druckmann emphasized that despite the challenges and negative aspects like death threats, the love for creating games and working with talented individuals is what motivates him.
Druckmann then posed a question to Barlog about when the drive to create becomes enough, referencing the recent retirement of Ted Price. Barlog's response was candid and introspective, admitting that the drive for more is never satisfied. He described the journey to success as a climb up a mountain, only to find another, taller mountain upon reaching the summit. This relentless pursuit, driven by an internal "demon of obsession," prevents him from fully appreciating achievements and pushes him to seek new challenges.
Druckmann resonated with Barlog's sentiments, albeit in a more measured tone. He shared a memory of Jason Rubin's departure from Naughty Dog, where Rubin expressed hope that his exit would provide opportunities for others. Druckmann sees his own eventual departure in a similar light, gradually stepping back to allow others to take the lead and create their own opportunities.
The session concluded on a light note, with Barlog jokingly mentioning retirement, reflecting the deep and personal insights shared throughout the engaging discussion.
