Neil Druckmann on Sequels: 'I Never Plan Ahead, Lacks Confidence'

At the recent DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog and Cory Barlog of Sony Santa Monica engaged in a candid discussion about a topic that resonates deeply with creators: doubt. The hour-long conversation delved into their personal struggles with self-doubt and the creative process, touching on how they determine the validity of their ideas and approach character development across multiple games.

When asked about handling character development over several games, Druckmann offered a surprising perspective. He revealed that he doesn't plan for sequels while working on a current project. "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," he explained. Druckmann emphasized the importance of focusing on the present project, suggesting that thinking about sequels too early could jinx the current game. He shared that while working on The Last of Us 2, he occasionally entertained ideas for future installments but always approached his work with the mindset of, "What if I never get to do another one?" This philosophy ensures that all compelling ideas are incorporated into the current game rather than being saved for later.

Ten-year payoffs

Druckmann further elaborated on his approach, noting that he typically doesn't plan for sequels but instead reflects on what has been done and what remains unresolved when considering future projects. He humorously mentioned that if he feels a character has no further development potential, he might consider "killing them off." This method was evident in the evolution of the Uncharted series, where each game built upon the previous one without a pre-set plan. For instance, the iconic train sequence in Uncharted 2 was not conceived during the development of the first game.

In contrast, Barlog shared a different approach, describing his process as akin to a "Charlie Day crazy conspiracy board," where he tries to connect and plan various elements over time. He finds it magical yet stressful to link current work with plans made a decade earlier, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining such long-term visions amidst changing team dynamics and perspectives.

Druckmann admitted that Barlog's method requires a level of confidence he doesn't possess, preferring to focus on the immediate future rather than planning years ahead.

The reason to wake up

The discussion also covered their passion for their work and the personal toll it can take. Druckmann shared a story about directing Pedro Pascal for the The Last of Us TV show, highlighting the intense dedication to their craft. Despite the stress and occasional panic attacks, Druckmann affirmed that his love for games and storytelling is what drives him. "It's the reason to wake up in the morning. It's why we do what we do," he stated, emphasizing the joy of creating with talented teams despite the challenges and negativity they sometimes face.

Turning the conversation to Barlog, Druckmann asked about the point at which one feels they have achieved enough in their career. Barlog's response was poignant, admitting that the drive to create is never fully satisfied. He described the feeling of reaching a career peak as both amazing and horrible, driven by an internal "demon of obsession" that constantly pushes for the next challenge. "Is it ever enough? The short answer's, no, it's never enough," Barlog confessed, highlighting the relentless pursuit of new goals.

Druckmann echoed this sentiment but added a hopeful note about creating opportunities for others. He recalled advice from Naughty Dog's Jason Rubin about stepping back to allow others to rise, suggesting that his eventual departure would open doors for new talent. As the discussion concluded, Barlog humorously remarked, "Very convincing. I’m going to retire," leaving the audience with a mix of laughter and reflection on the creative journey.