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Neil Druckmann, the mind behind The Last of Us, doesn't plan sequels. He makes games. That simple yet profound philosophy was recently revealed at the D.I.C.E. Summit, where Druckmann, alongside Sony Santa Monica's Cory Barlog, discussed his unique approach to game development. Forget meticulously plotted multi-game arcs; Druckmann prefers a more organic, almost improvisational approach, treating each project as a self-contained explosion of creativity.
Imagine trying to outrun a clicker while simultaneously planning your next vacation. That's what pre-planning sequels feels like to Druckmann. The sheer intensity of game development demands singular focus: "You're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game." His solution? Treat each game like it's the only game, a singular vessel for every ounce of creative energy: "I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here." So, while the internet clamors for The Last of Us Part 3, Druckmann remains enigmatic. Even during Part 2's development, sequel discussions were a mere whisper in the background, never the main focus. Druckmann's organic approach stands in stark contrast to Cory Barlog's meticulously planned narrative universes, which Barlog humorously likened to the Pepe Silvia conspiracy board from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. While Barlog meticulously connects the dots across multiple games, Druckmann prefers a more intuitive, almost jazz-like approach to storytelling. When the inevitable sequel question does surface, Druckmann turns to the characters themselves. Have their stories reached a satisfying conclusion? Or is there more to explore, more to say? If not, well… "I feel like the answer is, they can't go anywhere, then I go, 'I think we'll just kill them off.'" He claims to be "half joking," but the underlying principle is clear: sequels must offer fresh perspectives and unexplored emotional territory, not just a rehash of familiar themes. If the creative well has run dry, it's time to venture into new lands.
And venture they have. Naughty Dog is blasting off into the great unknown with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi odyssey that promises a dramatic departure from their post-apocalyptic past. This PS5 exclusive marks a bold new chapter for the studio, leaving fans breathlessly anticipating what strange new worlds and cosmic horrors await. The future, much like Druckmann's creative process, remains tantalizingly unwritten.
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