The Last of Us Creator Neil Druckmann Says He Never Plans for Sequels: ‘That Requires a Level of Confidence I Don’t Have’

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 self-doubt, recognizing viable ideas, and the challenges of character development across multiple games.

A question regarding sequel development prompted a surprising response from Druckmann: he doesn't plan sequels beforehand. He focuses intensely on the current project, approaching each game as a standalone work. Any sequel ideas are spontaneous, not pre-planned elements. He stated, "I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’" Instead, when working on a sequel, he analyzes unresolved elements and character arcs from the previous game, deciding if there's a compelling direction to pursue. If not, he considers concluding the character's story. He cited the Uncharted series as an example, highlighting how each sequel's direction emerged organically from the previous game's conclusion.

Barlog, in contrast, employs a highly meticulous, long-term planning approach, often connecting current projects to ideas conceived years earlier. He described this as "insanely stressful," acknowledging the challenges of coordinating numerous individuals and shifting perspectives across multiple projects.

The discussion also touched upon the emotional toll of game development. Druckmann shared an anecdote about Pedro Pascal's perspective on art as "the reason to wake up in the morning," reflecting his own passion for game creation despite the inherent stress and negativity.

Druckmann's contemplation of his future and the eventual necessity of stepping back from day-to-day development contrasted with Barlog's seemingly unending creative drive. Barlog described the relentless internal pressure to constantly pursue new creative heights, even after achieving significant success. He poignantly stated, "Is it ever enough? The short answer's, no, it's never enough." Druckmann, while acknowledging the similar pressure, expressed a more measured approach, focusing on creating opportunities for others to succeed. The conversation concluded with Barlog's humorous declaration of retirement, a stark contrast to his earlier admissions.