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 insecurities, recognizing successful ideas, and the challenges of sequels.
One audience question focused on character development across multiple games. Druckmann surprisingly revealed he doesn't plan sequels beforehand: He focuses intensely on the current project, treating each game as potentially his last. Any sequel ideas are organically integrated, rather than pre-planned. He explained his approach to sequels involves revisiting unresolved elements and character arcs from previous installments. If a compelling continuation isn't apparent, he suggests the characters' story might conclude. This approach, he illustrated, guided the Uncharted series, where each sequel's direction emerged organically.
Barlog, conversely, embraces long-term planning, connecting current projects to ideas conceived years prior. He acknowledged this approach's inherent stress, given the evolving teams and shifting perspectives over time. Druckmann countered that such long-term vision requires a level of confidence he doesn't possess, preferring to focus on immediate tasks.
The discussion shifted to the driving forces behind their careers. Druckmann emphasized his enduring passion for game development and storytelling, citing Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as a powerful motivator. He acknowledged the immense stress but highlighted the privilege of working with talented individuals.
Druckmann then posed a question to Barlog regarding the point at which the relentless drive to create becomes "enough." Barlog's candid response described an unending cycle of ambition, where reaching a milestone only reveals a higher, more challenging peak. He described this as an internal "demon of obsession" that prevents him from fully appreciating achievements.
Druckmann, while sharing a similar sentiment, expressed a more measured approach. He mentioned Jason Rubin's advice upon leaving Naughty Dog, emphasizing that departure creates opportunities for others to grow. Druckmann aims to gradually reduce his involvement in day-to-day operations, eventually creating space for new talent. Barlog playfully responded with a declaration of retirement, concluding their insightful conversation.
