Evan Wells leaves Naughty Dog after 25 years. The co-president of the famous American studio will step down at the end of this year, and Neil Druckmann will take over the leadership of one of the most famous PlayStation teams. Wells is confident that he is leaving the studio in good hands.
Evan Wells joined Naughty Dog in 1998 and worked on Crash Team Racing and Jak and Daxter, among others. He became co-president in 2004 following the departure of founders Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin. Druckmann joined as co-president in 2020. Druckmann is also head of the creative department.. He intends to continue to hold this position.
“I discussed this move with Naughty Dog management for over a year, and with Neil even longer. This decision is overwhelming and controversial, but I found myself happy with my time in the studio and everything we’ve accomplished together over the past 25 years. I couldn’t be more confident in Neal’s ability to run the studio. Now is the time to give him and other senior members the opportunity to lead the team to a successful future.” Wells wrote.
Source: SonyThe Last of Us multiplayer has issues. Naughty Dog is also preparing a single player game
According to Druckmann, Wells wanted to leave early, but stayed with Naughty Dog to create a new team structure together. It began building several years ago amid criticism for alleged violations of labor rights and opposition to unions. Today the studio responsible for The Last of Us more than 400 people work.
“I have no doubt that Naughty Dog will reach new heights and continue to raise the bar in the video game industry,” Wells added.
With the departure of Wells, there will be more changes. Eric Pangilinan and Jeremy Yates will join the studio’s leadership team as heads of individual art departments, Anthony Newman will become head of production and design, Alison Maury will be appointed studio manager and head of operations, and Christian Gerling will become head of technology.
Naughty Dog’s last game was The Last of Us Part 1, a remake of Joel and Ellie’s first post-apocalyptic adventure for PlayStation 5 and PC. Now Naughty Dog is preparing a new single player game (probably The Last of Us Part 3) and struggles with multiplayer in a standalone game from The Last of Us universe. There are also rumors of an entirely new brand.
Source :Indian TV
