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 personal insecurities, identifying successful ideas, and approaching character development across multiple games.

Druckmann surprisingly revealed he doesn't plan sequels beforehand. His approach to The Last of Us Part II, and other sequels, is to focus intensely on the current project, treating it as a standalone work. Any sequel ideas are organic, emerging from unresolved elements and character arcs in the preceding game. If a character's story feels complete, he's even joked about ending their journey. He cited the Uncharted series as an example, where each installment's narrative and direction evolved organically from the previous one. This approach contrasts sharply with Barlog's, who thrives on long-term planning and connecting current projects to ideas conceived years earlier.

Barlog described his method as a complex, albeit stressful, web of interconnected ideas, often spanning a decade. He acknowledged the inherent challenges of coordinating such a long-term vision across multiple teams and shifting personnel. Druckmann countered that such an approach requires a level of confidence he doesn't possess, preferring to focus on immediate tasks rather than long-term projections.

The conversation shifted to 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," highlighting the passion that fuels their work despite the immense pressure and negativity. He also discussed his desire to eventually step back from the daily grind, creating opportunities for others to flourish. Barlog, in a poignant reflection on his own career, admitted that the drive to create is insatiable, a relentless pursuit of new challenges despite the exhaustion and self-doubt. He described reaching the summit of a creative mountain only to find another, taller one beckoning. The conversation concluded with Barlog's humorous response to Druckmann's reflections: a declaration of retirement.