Is Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog, the most hated game developer? This question has sparked debate in the gaming community, fueled by controversial creative choices and his public persona. While universally respected at one point, Druckmann is now a divisive figure.
Early Career and Inspiration
Druckmann's journey began in college when he pitched a zombie game idea to George Romero, the father of zombie movies. The concept involved a cop protecting a young girl. Romero rejected it, but Druckmann held onto the idea.
From Programmer to Director
After joining Naughty Dog as a programmer, Druckmann continued to develop his ideas. He was eventually promoted alongside Bruce Straley (director of Uncharted 2) to direct a new project. Initially tasked with rebooting Jak and Daxter, they realized the direction they were taking was not right for the franchise.
The Genesis of The Last of Us
Druckmann then suggested revisiting his zombie game idea. This evolved into The Last of Us, featuring Joel, a smuggler, escorting Ellie, a girl immune to the virus, across the country. Ideas initially pitched included Joel being a hardened criminal seeking redemption and a virus only infecting women. Druckmann also pitched a revenge plot starring Joel's old partner, Tess. Bruce Straley ultimately rejected the revenge plot as the primary driver of the story. Straley also provided a balance to Druckmann's darker impulses.
The Success and Consequences of The Last of Us
The Last of Us was universally praised for its storytelling and emotional impact. The game's ending sparked countless debates, marking a new era where games tried to become movies.
Behind-the-Scenes Changes
However, success brought consequences. Amy Hennig, a key creative force behind Uncharted, left Naughty Dog under controversial circumstances and was replaced by Druckmann. Development crunch became brutal, leading to significant designer turnover, including Bruce Straley.
Embracing Confrontation
As Druckmann rose in the ranks, he became more comfortable with confrontation, engaging with fans on Twitter even after backlash.
The Last of Us Part II: Controversy and Division
In 2017, Druckmann was promoted to Vice President of Naughty Dog, giving him full creative control. This led to The Last of Us Part II.
A Polarizing Sequel
While some applauded the announcement, others were skeptical, questioning the need for a sequel. The game incorporated Druckmann's rejected ideas from the first game, including the revenge plot and switching between playable characters.
Leaks and Backlash
Months before release, major spoilers leaked, including Joel's death and the fact that players would control his killer. Druckmann braced for impact.
Release and Review Bombing
Upon release in June 2020, The Last of Us Part II was met with a flood of negative reviews, some questioning the validity of the timing. Allegations arose about the coordinated nature of these reviews.
Druckmann's Response
Druckmann responded to critics by dismissing their importance and defended the game's narrative choices. He also faced criticism for perceived lies in the game's marketing related to Joel's role in the story.
Continuing Controversy
As The Last of Us Part II received nominations for Game of the Year, Druckmann's tweets further fueled controversy. Multiple YouTubers reported receiving strikes over critical videos.
Recent Developments and Future Projects
Naughty Dog has announced few new games, but they did release a $70 remake of The Last of Us Part I. The PC port of The Last of Us Part I was riddled with technical issues. Neil has since been promoted to head of Naughty Dog and HBO launched the Last of Us TV series.
The Last of Us TV Series
The Last of Us TV series on HBO became a hit, introducing new fans to the franchise. However, the show's second season is expected to be met with the same controversial plot points as The Last of Us Part II.
Intergalactic Heretic Prophet
Naughty Dog's upcoming game, Intergalactic Heretic Prophet, has already faced controversy, with one of the actresses mocking gamers online. Druckmann has stated that the game deals with the less controversial subject of faith and religion.
Druckmann's Legacy
Whether Intergalactic Heretic Prophet will be successful remains to be seen. However, it's clear that Druckmann remains a divisive figure, admired by some for his creative vision and criticized by others for his narrative choices and confrontational style. Some view him as the antithesis of Hideo Kojima.
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