160°

Naughty Dog says gender/minority debate will push industry forward

Neil Druckmann says storytelling techniques are advancing and industry is "on the cusp" of seeing games with "strong, non-sexualized" female protagonists being successful.

Read Full Story >>
gamespot.com
ZodTheRipper3908d ago

And I agree with the headline before even reading the article. Such discussions strenghten the position and importance of video game characters in general.

And it's good to hear that developers like Naughty Dog are aware of these discussions.

puntthor3907d ago

told you guys itd be a good game!

Megaton3907d ago (Edited 3907d ago )

An actual debate might, but not the reactionary offended echo chamber we have now. Shouting "GTAV IS MISOGYNISTIC FOR NOT HAVING FEMALE LEADS" and claiming anyone who disagrees is a sexist, isn't helping anyone. It just generates resentment against those people and their tactless opinions.

lnvisibleMan3907d ago (Edited 3907d ago )

I think its wrong for people to label GTA5 as sexist. Organised crime is a patriarchal social system. So it makes sense that their isn't a female lead.

Wni03907d ago

Show me one article that says that.

Cause all I see is opinion articles pointing out the juvenile tropes most game developers use and then what the community does in response is branding them as white knights or alpha males, which is SO mature. You cant just have "Its this! Or Its that! Theres gotta be a middle ground.

Naughty Dog, and Quantic are the leading the way in mature storytelling. You know stuff about something other than satire and cartoonish violence and stereotypes.

jc485733907d ago (Edited 3907d ago )

I agree, but I doubt many gamers care. I mean, I've seen gamers complain about the darnest things and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them deemed women as useless secondary stand by characters that is only in the game to fulfill her assigned gender. The community needs to change or at least be a little more considerate.

Show all comments (11)
250°

Neil Druckmann clarifies true intent of new Naughty Dog game comments

Following a recent interview with Sony, Naughty Dog head Neil Druckmann claims the original intent was “unfortunately lost” in the process.

just_looken1d 9h ago

He can take dog shit put it in a oven with seasoning then call it waistland cookies the sony fans will pay $40 a cookie give them a medal of cooking.

No mater what trash this sobs puts out/talks about it will sell.

The true fact in the 8 years sense uncharted 4 his first time in the main seat to a point all this "amazing" team did was get 2 dudes to fuck in a van then destroy a franchise they never created.

But being a port studio they are decent at they should keep in there lane at being just that a glorified port studio.

fr0sty1d 8h ago

Salty Bots... gotta love it.

just_looken1d 7h ago

@frosty

Over what? naught dog under his command is a glorified port team tlou2 was mostly tlou 1 asset's with the same game play loop but forced a trans down your throat.

I would gladly help pay for this blight and his team to get removed from gaming in general.

fr0sty1d 5h ago

Seeing a LGBT person exist in a work of fiction isn't "forcing them down your throat". Nobody is forcing you to play it. Nobody is forcing you to agree with it. If you think that just seeing a LGBT person exist is "force", it sounds like they make you very uncomfortable, and maybe you need to be doing some serious reflecting on exactly why... looks to me like you're suppressing something with all that fear.

just_looken1d 4h ago

@fro

When i think of the last of us i think of a group of survivors crossing the apocalypse wasteland with a growing bond between 2 people that end up with Joel making ellie his new daughter.

Then you fire up the 2nd one bang joel is dead oh that comic series? bang dead

Oh you want to continue all that we grew in the first one? na f that toss it in the trash

Now here is a trans woman so strong superboy would blush go out there kill all what made tlou1 then halfway get a forced sex scene that you can not skip between 2 dudes.

The gameplay? just like the first game the combat/backpack system crafting sytem? 0 changes/improvements.

I could go on but lets face it they copy pasted that tlou 1 assets bin a shit ton of times.

There is nothing on the box or the ads or anything before the game that said you would going to spend most of the game controlling a new trans character that has no ties to anything of the first game the only existence was to kill what the first game made.

Oh but hey there is a mp mode coming out before 2022 wait what is that? oh we made it its own game then cancelled it now go but the game again as we port it a few times.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

mkis0071d 3h ago (Edited 1d 2h ago )

What has Straley or Henig released since they left ND? Not a thing! stop scapegoating! Which of them is credited with co-writing a majorly successful show?

just_looken1d 1h ago

@mkis007

You bring up Bruce Straley really? someone that gave us 4 generations of amazing games and was there in the creation of 4 legendary franchises but was tossed in the trash for the pos niel druckmann not 7? years ago

So yeah in those 7? years you right all he has done is get 2 awards one is a game award for a puzzle game he made oh boy right like for fuck sake's all niel has done is one game that was a overhyped fan boy orgasm underneath all that ps jizz was just a typical 5/10 game.

Then you drag Amy Hennig that poor woman was also kicked out then became this century's Brendan Fraser with her sexual misconduct information coming out.

We all know how horrible people are treated behind the scenes she might have been sexual attacked groped or something.

So yeah all she did after was battlefield hardline forspoken now that new marvel 1945 game but hey Brendan Fraser was a great actor till he also said he was sexually attacked just now he is allowed back in no doubt she also had to take a leave of absence out and or was forced out on ice.

Man there are way to many out there that look at niel at the new gaming jesus when all he had done is some work on uncharted 4 then tlou2

Oh also the tvhshow? for real all they did was use stuff from the 2013 game its like saying GOT was a 10/10 but never watching past season 3

-Foxtrot23h ago

@mkis007

That's highly unfair to them both

Amy Hennig got messed around working on projects that got cancelled by the publishers (EA) and then ended up on a awful game (Forspoken) where you had 4 other writers working on it which is just a recipe for disaster. She is now working on Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. Not her fault she was pushed out of NaughtyDog, something both Nolan North and Richard McGonagle have both said in interviews.

Bruce Straley left after burn out, the rest of the story we don't know and will never know just like what happened with Amy Hennig. He decided to take a break and wasn't sure if he wanted to come back to gaming however he had an idea he wanted to make so he founded Wildflower Interactive, a smaller studio where they are currently working on a new game.

Tacoboto21h ago

@the obvious stain of a commenter

The trans character wasn't Abby. Try playing Part 2 instead of gatekeeping what you think Part 1 was about and meant.

Maybe try watching the show while you're at it, because you're terribly off with your opinion on that too

MajorLazer19h ago

Naughty Dog is better than all the MS studios put together.

derek18h ago(Edited 18h ago)

@just he has been behind 2 of the greatest games ever made. Tlou2 was easily the best non-vr game made last gen. Losers just can't get over Joel's death, mixed with the usual console war nonsense. The fact that you so casually call him a sob shows how deranged some gamers have become about Drunkmann.

derek18h ago

@frosty, for people like Just, including anyone that can be categorized as being a minority in any kind of media is "forcing it down his throat " lol. I to don't care for poor "checking box" inclusion for inclusion sake but that was not the case with tlou2.

fr0sty18h ago(Edited 18h ago)

The pathetic part about it is, you can tell just_looken never even played TLOU, because that was the game where Ellie's sexuality was first brought to light... No "that was forced down our throats" to be said about that.

Only terrified folks in the closet that use their hatred as cover from outing themselves fear LGBT people that much. They exist. They will exist in all aspects of life, including popular media. Get over it.

just_looken10h ago

@all

Once again you drag out something like its a big win

Here is my old channel a clip of me playing TLOU on ps3
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Search my channel for more clips

Proof its my channel? look at this profiles banner that is 7yrs old then look at other vids on that channel like my bf3 clips to see my psn id. But knowing this group that is way to much work.

Also elle being a lesbian is another trump card? one dlc is all we got of that a dlc that took over a year to be tossed out.

Rainbowcookie9h ago

Hey at least we have cookies to eat 😄

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 9h ago
Rangerman12081d 17h ago

Glad he clarified it but i'm still somewhat skeptical. Plus, his comments about how Ai will revolutionize storytelling were still pretty iffy.

anast1d 16h ago

No need to bow down, Stan your ground. The AI comments were gross though.

S2Killinit1d 16h ago

Pretty excited as I read these. I just cant wait to see what ND is up to.

Export1d 14h ago

put a chick in it and make her gay !

shadowknight2031d 12h ago

Next they need a diverse couple, and perhaps some climate activists

StormSnooper19h ago(Edited 19h ago)

I would love that if only to piss off all the lunatics. Lol

Show all comments (26)
170°

Naughty Dog Boss Neil Druckmann Says AI Will 'Revolutionize' Development

Druckmann claims the tech could 'push the boundaries of storytelling in games.'

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
Jin_Sakai3d ago

I’m more interested in what else he said.

“Neil Druckmann says new Naughty Dog title could ‘redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming’

3d ago Replies(6)
H93d ago

It will be something like "we erased gameplay all together it's just a movie now"

purple1013d ago

every time naughty dog make a game, you play it and get the feeling "this is not possible'

from the boulder running towards you in crash, on ps1,
to the massive open world of jak and daxter, on ps2,
to the QuickTime events sequences of uncharted on ps3/4

and now we will see what they do with ps5,

H93d ago

Press X for doubt at "PS5"

-Foxtrot2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Arrogant asshole who sniffs his own farts bigs up next game…sounds like typical PR to me

You know what I find interesting? Almost every site reporting this as the main title where the REAL interesting bit of the interview is Neil praising AI and saying it will be used to help push story, characters, dialogue and more.

It’s super shitty to big up AI especially when it comes to story telling and other creative elements.

senorfartcushion2d ago

Just because someone says this type of stuff, it doesn't mean that it's guaranteed to be good news.

You can say this about microtransactions. MXTs revolutionised the gaming industry.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
Levii_922d ago

Geez how full of themselves are these guys.

Einhander19722d ago

He also said it has "ethical issues we need to address" but of course that doesn't get the clicks.

CrimsonWing692d ago

I’m all for it. Cuts the time to make a game. Look, Hellblade 2 took 5 years to make, if AI can do that in half the time, as a consumer, I support it.

Chard2d ago

Things will get far sloppier brother

Show all comments (24)
310°

Neil Druckmann says new Naughty Dog title ‘could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming

The Last of Us director’s next project is “perhaps the most thrilling yet.

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
H93d ago

When you start the game Neil will appear personally telling you about real world issues and call you all sort of names if you don't take action now and then you watch a whole movie and that's it

Crows903d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Too much credit.

A good dev doesn't need to announce how good his game is...he just shows it.

You don't see Kojima glorifying his ideas like this and you don't see successful developers glorifying their "great" ideas before release.

It's going to be a shit show...reserve some popcorn.

Its a hard pill to swallow but the naughty dog we once had is long gone. Most don't realize it but eventually just like with bioware and blizzard...it'll be hard to ignore.

H93d ago

Neil just wants to be Kojima so bad, meanwhile Kojima is just like a child enjoying the world, saying whatever comes to his mind and having so much passion, man I don't even like his games that much but the man is just passion incarnate!

And the popcorn is always ready for Neil

notachance3d ago

Ever since Bruce Straley left it was like Neil lost his leash and went on full ego trip, not unlike Kojima tbh but at least with Kojima you can see how much he loved video games and how he truly want to push the boundaries. Neil felt like he’s just strutting around..

StoneTitan3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Erm dude. Never played a kojima game before? He can absolutely come across pretentious to some people. He puts his name in the credits of every Mission you do in mgs5.
I mean...
Also naughty dog absolutely has the power to bring in people from a very different demographic unlike other gamecompanies. TLOU and Uncharted were absoolutely groundbreaking for gaming.
Also Druckman never said it "will" he said it "could"
Sounds actually very optimistic but also cautious to me.
Stop hating move on

1Victor2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

@crow: “You don't see Kojima glorifying his ideas like this”
You mean like this👇👇
https://www.gamedeveloper.c...
ALL DEV HYPE THEIR NEXT GAME IDEAS so I call BS on your statement

Cacabunga2d ago

I dislike the character, but i really hope this is a single player game..

ElaBosak2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Lmao please tell me this is sarcasm? Kojima is the epitome of a dev glorifying his ideas even worse than this.

CobraKai2d ago

Id like them to show something. Only doing 2 TLOU remakes this far into the PS5 life is disappointing.

DivineHand1252d ago

I disagree. Whenever a developer knows he is working on something really good they will go out of their way to tell everyone. The Last of Us Part 2 was a well-made game even though the story could have been better.

I hope Naughty Dog grows from that and if they choose to kill off the main characters, they can execute it like in Game of Thrones where we are left in shock and it leads to a satisfying conclusion.

We don't know if the naughty dog of old is long gone since they were able to complete the Last of Us part 2 using fresh talent despite the challenges. Let's hope for the best

smashman982d ago

This all sounds like cope when ur greeted with the reality that Last of us is more popular than ever and last of us 2 was yet another critical darling.

I'm sorry but outside of a very vocal minority who loves to whine really really loudly Naughty Dog is nothing like those 2.

TheKingKratos2d ago

" You don't see Kojima glorifying his ideas like this and you don't see successful developers glorifying their "great" ideas before release."

Really?!

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
RaidenBlack3d ago

I am slightly more curious regarding Cory Barlog's next project

S2Killinit2d ago

I just want to play ND game, I dont really care about neither sides politics.

H92d ago

ND games now are a political battlefield, it's allegory as a game, according to him even, it's so easy to say you don't care about politics and then love games that are only made by and for politics

S2Killinit2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Games are not made “for” politics. Games are an expression of someone’s speech. There is NOTHING wrong with a developer expressing itself in its own creation. Whether that expression is deemed “political” or not, it does not make a difference.

This is the very foundation of the freedom of speech.

itBourne2d ago

Where is the freedom of speech? Anyone center to right has to hide it or get kicked out of the industry. It's beyond one sided, no freedom allowed.

S2Killinit2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

@itBourne

My friend, you are not informed about how freedom of speech works. I suggest that you inform yourself so that you understand where your rights begin and end. (Not a knock at you)

But to set you on a correct direction, I will explain it. Your freedom of speech is a right to be free from infringement by “State action”. In other words, it does not protect you from acts/repercussions by non-government actors. Therefore, if by “center to right” you mean you would like to insult other people, know that while you are free to do so (to a constitutional degree as there are limitations), you are not free from the public repercussions of your speech. So, if your place of employment deems your conduct to be such that they do not approve your speaking on their behalf, they have every right to stop you by terminating your employment. You are free to express yourself, and no government agency can stop your speech, but you are not free from public consequences of your act/speech. People often confuse these matters and then conclude that “we dont have freedom of speech because I get fired for saying highly offensive things that are my opinions.”

Now, if someone is fired for non offensive opinion/speech, they may have a claim for unlawful termination.

I hope this clears things up.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 2d ago
dmonee2d ago

Better yet, you start the game, go through what you just said, and then your PS is bricked, and your account is permanently banned!!!!!

DarXyde2d ago

Druckmann doesn't really beat you over the head with the message of the game. The only thing he said about The Last of Us Part II prior to launch was that it was commentary on the cycle of violence.

In reality, it was also commentary on the decades long Israel-Palestine conflict, which he doesn't really mention until after the fact and is a reflection of his own lived experiences. In fact, I would not be surprised if it was difference of opinion on this issue that led to him and Straley parting ways. Extremely contentious issue, moreso now than when the game launched.

However, I do find it extraordinarily fascinating that, following 6 October, Druck missed the entire message of his own work.

That aside, Naughty Dog is an incredible studio that has made incredibly memorable titles every generation since PS1... But that said, Naughty Dog (Druckmann, specifically) needs to reel it in. Neil went on about how ambitious Factions II was with years of silence otherwise, only to have it unceremoniously cancelled in a letter to the public.

Temper the hype, Neil. We'll see when it's time to see it.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
solideagle3d ago

please shut up and release a game, Naughty dog has not released a single title apart from Remaster on PS5...

garos823d ago

neil druckman is running on the glories of amy henig and bruce straley

S2Killinit2d ago

People like to ignore reality because they dont like this guy. I really wish people could just accept that we all have different political leanings, and that is ok, we are not enemies. Especially now that people have already learned how social media algorithms prevent us from seeing eye to eye with people who have different opinions from us.

Personally, ND is my favorite developer, and I can’t wait to see what they are working on.

garos821d 17h ago

I didnt no, and i consider TLOU 1 in my top 5 games of all time

StormSnooper19h ago

@garos82 (or dRanzer)
Too bad for you then because TLOU2 was amazing.

mkis0072d ago

Neither have released anything by themselves. This weird Neil hate is wacko. It reads like thinly veiled antisemitism tbh.

Crows902d ago

Is he Jewish??? I didn't even know. Frankly nobody gives a shit.

mkis0072d ago

People that don't like Neil give him all the hate and Straley and Henig all the love...it's a very easy to read sign of hate beyond what they have actually contributed.

Shiore2u2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I think you more accurately want it to be antisemitism to convince yourself instead of considering any sort of nuance for whatever multitude of reasons may actually be for others. Just cause he's jewish doesn't make him exempt from criticism, and considering current events that's not a hill I'd advise to die on.

smashman982d ago

I don't think it's mostly antisemitism.
I think some people genuinely hated the direction the story took and instead of being adults and saying man I just didn't like that story, they're being weirdos and saying neil sucks, even though Last of us 2 is objectively from a gameplay perspective some of naughty dog's best work.

Then a small minority of those people are the transphobes, homophobes, and racists.

That being said the neil haters either way are definitely weirdos.

StormSnooper19h ago

I don’t know anything about this antisemitism claim (might be missing sometging here), but there is definitely a anti-gay thing because this was a major TikTok clickbait subject for the influencers that pray on people’s right wing emotions.

You can see it even in the comments here. It’s crazy, one game with gay characters and people melted! I blame social media algorithms.

mkis0072h ago

The antisemitism claim comes mostly from other places where they don't even hide it

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 2h ago
Elda3d ago

Can't wait to see what ND is bringing.

S2Killinit2d ago

Same. ND is the greatest developer imo.

2d ago
2d ago
ooquis3d ago

He's gaslighting us to want something that doesn't exist yet. This fool got demoted back to janitor status where he belongs for destroying the last of us franchise.

romulus232d ago

He didn't "destroy" the franchise, knock off the hyperbole.

Show all comments (78)