Naughty Dog: "We Feel Like Storytelling Is So Poor Right Now"
The Last Of UsNaughty Dog is once again trying to take an ambitious leap with their latest project, The Last Of Us.
And in a recent OPM UK interview with Naughty Dog creative director Neil Druckmann, and voice performers Troy Baker (Joel) and Ashley Johnson (Ellie), Druckmann spoke about the team's goals. And Baker added that he believes players "crave substance" and are reaching out for something special.
"As a gamer I think that it’s almost daunting some of the expectations those gamers have. If you show an announcement trailer and it’s anything short of Jesus backflipping over a sea of ninja and turning orcs into candystripe game controllers it’s going to be underwhelming, because that’s what people expect now. And I think for so long technology has limited us, and I think now, especially the way Naughty Dog does it, people are exceeding the technology.
People are ready for something, they crave substance, they’re reaching out. People always want connection to something, for something to resonate with them. Gameplay is always a core part, yes, but I think more than anything people are really ready for something to resonate with them, and just blowing people up doesn’t do that any more."
Druckmann said they "want to change the fu**** industry" simply because they think storytelling can get a lot better. And although we've seen examples of great strides taken in this respect, we have to agree.
"...we want to change the fu**ing industry because we feel like storytelling is so poor right now. And we try so hard at Naughty Dog to push things, and games come out which are fun and exciting and visceral, but to read in reviews that they have amazing stories is disheartening for us because we work so hard at it. We really hope we can raise the bar, that people will look at it and say ‘OK, I really need to learn the craft of storytelling, I really need to think about characters, I really need to involve my actors in this in order to get realistic performances. That’s what we want to do."
There's no doubt that we need the next level when it comes to scripting, storytelling, dialogue, etc. But having a team like Naughty Dog leading the revolutionary charge is encouraging; given the Uncharted titles, they know exactly what to do when it comes to professional acting and writing.
Just keep goin'!
Related Game(s): The Last Of Us
Tags: the last of us, naughty dog, the last of us characters, the last of us interview
3/12/2012 8:52:28 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (25 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 9:54:09 PM
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They just kind of did some Dan Brown and tossed around names of secret societies and plots with connections that made no historical sense at all. It also fell into the hollywood trap of too much globetrotting action and not enough substance.
I sure hope The Last of Us delivers on making the proper survival connection with the gamers.
5 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 10:56:01 PM
While I liked the attempt at deeper sentiments, it was forced upon the story and didn't mesh with the history they've shared together.
3 up, 1 down
bigrailer19
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 1:00:36 AM
I agree, as much as I loved Uncharted 3, the other two are better games and told better stories, but that doesnt mean anything when these games are phenomenal to begin with. The first is still my favorite and favorite game, and that's saying a lot when you have Uncharted 2, and even 3 and how good they were.
0 up, 0 down
archs13
Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 10:09:08 PM
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It's kinda like that "sequel syndrome" in movies, where the second and third movie always tend to be much watered down than the original. With that said, the Call of Duty series is definitely the one to blame in all of this because of making a game at least a year. Not too much storytelling in Call of Duty, it's the multiplayer that sells.
2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 10:19:20 PM
1 up, 0 down
archs13
Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 10:44:10 PM
Kojima has done that with his Metal Gear Solid series, why can't other developers do that as well?
1 up, 0 down
CheddarClyde
Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 10:22:30 PM
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2 up, 0 down
AtomicJAM
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 12:21:37 AM
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*raises hand*
0 up, 2 down
bigrailer19
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 1:04:01 AM
The Bioshock games are just good plain and simple!
0 up, 1 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 3:41:04 AM
0 up, 0 down
Gamer46
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 1:04:05 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Killa Tequilla
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 2:47:11 AM
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2 up, 1 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 3:31:49 AM
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 6:48:43 AM
... In the USA, that must be. We never see that on my side of the world. I think it's a bit weird myself actually. Just like the beeping out of words on American TV.
I've just grown to become used to it. Still I think it's a strange custm cause there's not a single person in the audience who are in any doubt about what's been said.
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/13/2012 6:49:03 AM
0 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 6:54:33 AM
Thinking about it now... it is a bit odd. Swear words are all but a part of the modern vernacular (not to mention incredibly useful at times). Still, there are certain standards of propriety that should be adhered to and this is one of them. That's what I think anyway.
Last edited by Lawless SXE on 3/13/2012 6:57:40 AM
0 up, 0 down
JCARROLL
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 4:31:17 PM
0 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 3:31:09 AM
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Bioshock was awesome in this respect, as was SotC but Uncharted doesn't have that same way of presenting a subtext. I know that that is, in no way, what Druckman is saying here, but I feel that it remains relevant. Sure, the way that the characters interact and the events going on around them are incredibly important for the plot advancement, but a shallow story will remain shallow, even if the best of the best were involved. In a way, I think the statements are self-contradictory.
Baker, on the other hand, reflects my sentiments with his "craving substance" comment, only for Druckman to, seemingly, downplay that. Obviously the developer is the driving force behind the project, and this has me wondering what themes, if any, The Last of Us will tackle. So much could be explored, but I can't help but feel that it will be a wasted opportunity and that really, really worries me.
0 up, 0 down
FxTales
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 4:32:40 AM
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1 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 5:09:43 AM
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which is exactly why heavy rain was so popular!
BUT that said to say "Storytelling Is So Poor Right Now" is a bit extreme!
there have been PLEANTY games that have a awesome story!
FAR from what i would call poor.
but that point aside he never said this but he makes it sound like every game needs a story.
thats not true!
SOME games need a good story.
some dont.
SSX for instance, are people really that interested in a story on a snowboarder?
or would they rather a story on a ex serial killer?
some concepts lead themselves well to a story so story is paramount, id go as far to say its THE most important part of the project!
but other games, like SSX, story is irrelevant, useless the concept, the style of game just does not need it.
do you really need a story in GT5?
or would you prefer the most accurate advanced racing sim available?
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 7:14:34 AM
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2 up, 0 down
Robochic
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 @ 8:42:30 AM
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One thing i'm sick of is games that have no story line but hey it's cool just to shoot people i want to have a game with great story and shooting peole or something that challenges my brain and thats why i love UC it challenges me, great story lines :)
1 up, 0 down
Twistedfloyd
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Monday, March 12, 2012 @ 9:13:14 PM
I really look forward to seeing what they do with The Last of Us and my expectations are through the roof. Storytelling can improve and needs to keep improving for our industry to continue grow. These guys are among my inner circle of great storytellers within gaming.