Naughty Dog “disheartened” when games’ stories are easily branded “amazing”

"We try so hard to push things."

Recommended Videos

Update: A new, online version of the Edge interview has just been published, which chops up and explains Druckmann’s quote in a different light: that staff are merely disappointed when the praise lavished on the studio’s output focuses on its cinematic flair.

The full, unedited version of the quote from the print version of the interview is below:

“We’re trying to say something about human beings and how they exist. Not necessarily just in this setting, but in every setting. We try so hard at Naughty Dog to push things and then games come out that are fun and exciting and get visceral things right, but to read in interviews that they have an amazing story is disheartening to us because we work so hard at it. We really hope we can raise the bar.”

Original version: Naughty Dog finds it “disheartening” when games “that are fun and exciting and get visceral things right” are praised by reviewers for having an “amazing” story.

“We try so hard at Naughty Dog to push things,” creative director Neil Druckmann told Edge (thanks, VG247).

“And then games come out that are fun and exciting and get visceral things right, but to read in reviews that they have an amazing story is disheartening to us because we work so hard at it. We really hope we can raise the bar.

“We’re trying to say something about human beings,” Druckman continued, “and how they exist. Not necessarily just in this setting, but in every setting.”

Naughty Dog’s next project is post-apocalyptic PS3 exclusive The Last Of Us, which examines the relationship between a pair of survivors.


Prima Games is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Steam’s Family Sharing Feature Just Got Even Better
Steam Family Featured
Read Article The Pokemon Company Just Revealed the Most Adorable Pokemon Cards Yet
Image of Hisuian Growlithe Pokemon Card.
Read Article This Final Fantasy 7 Abomination is the Creepiest Dragon’s Dogma 2 Character Creation
Screenshot of Cloud in Final Fantasy 7.
Related Content
Read Article Steam’s Family Sharing Feature Just Got Even Better
Steam Family Featured
Read Article The Pokemon Company Just Revealed the Most Adorable Pokemon Cards Yet
Image of Hisuian Growlithe Pokemon Card.
Read Article This Final Fantasy 7 Abomination is the Creepiest Dragon’s Dogma 2 Character Creation
Screenshot of Cloud in Final Fantasy 7.
Author
Prima Games Staff
The staff at Prima Games.