Naughty Dog: Trying To Top Uncharted 2 Is "Terrifying"
Uncharted 3: Drake's DeceptionWhen you're atop the development world and everybody expects nothing but perfection, the pressure just might start to weigh heavily on every talented shoulder.
Speaking in a fresh behind-the-scenes video, Naughty Dog cinematics animation lead, Josh Scherr, spoke about the team's struggle to top themselves after what many called an unparalleled production in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. In a word, he has described that struggle as "terrifying." Said Scherr:
"There's a lot more pressure now on us than I think there ever has been. We want to meet and beat peoples' expectations but frankly we're just putting a lot of our own pressure on ourselves to do a better game than we did last time."
Creative director Amy Hennig added that expectations are both external and internal. In fact, it seems she prefers a time when Naughty Dog was making a little-known title called Uncharted: Drake's Fortune; a time when few expected a masterpiece and the world hadn't yet greeted Nathan Drake and Co.
"Making Uncharted 3 there's a ton of pressure - it's a crushing amount of pressure to be honest. Some of it's self-imposed and some of it's naturally imposed by the circumstances when you know you've got a big fanbase out there that's waiting for any scrap of information and can't wait for the next game.
I'll tell you, there's something to be said for being under the radar and being the dark horse that nobody's heard of yet."
But of course, perfectionists will always be hardest on themselves. As co-president Christophe Balestra said- "Pressure from the outside compared to what we have inside...piece of cake. It's nothing." Oh, we're certainly guilty of heaping on the pressure but we're just so excited. Maybe Naughty Dog will forgive us.
Related Game(s): Uncharted 3
Tags: uncharted, uncharted 3, drake's deception, naughty dog
12/13/2010 12:26:38 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (67 posts)
maxpontiac
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:27:28 PM
8 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:21:17 PM
Though it's better not to hype it in the U.S., hating is only second to drinking lol.
8 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 3:16:21 PM
I don't pay attention to it though because I'm always in the cockpit view anyway.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 12/13/2010 3:18:21 PM
4 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 3:46:37 PM
You and I both. What FEW things are missing surely don't detract from the experience GT5 gives you.
6 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 4:16:11 PM
Indeed, it's an awesome game still.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 12/13/2010 4:16:31 PM
3 up, 0 down
STAY3R
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 12:45:18 PM
Reply
8 up, 0 down
Zorigo
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 12:48:26 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
NazzyQ
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 12:51:50 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 3:11:20 AM
1 up, 0 down
Qubex
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 4:17:45 AM
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 0 down
Shams
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 3:11:24 PM
It literally translates to "If God pleases" like the English saying of "God willing", as NazzyQ used, or "Godspeed".
It's actual meaning ranges from "Hopefully, but you never know", or it's also used as response, to wish a person well in their endeavorers.
I.E: "Tomorrow, we will meet, inshallah".
or "I wish to meet you soon, brother", and other person responds, "Inshallah."
"Bismillah", as World used, literally translates to "With/In the name of God". One says it before doing anything good or well worth it.
0 up, 0 down
Hezzron
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 12:52:53 PM
Reply
Now if the rest of the industry would feel that pressure, we'd be even better off.
2 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:04:15 PM
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Point is let the developers do their work. I also honestly believe as much as we wanna see te new trailer or new screen shots, games should be kept under wraps as much as possible. It is awesome thay developers wanna give us a taste now and then but it does have its negatives too. So from tgis point forward as ive done with moat games including GT5 and uncharted 2, im just gonna let it all play out!
The case woth ND and uncharted 3, i have all the faith in them and the franchise! All ND has to do is stay true to what they are and stay true to the thoughts that brought us the franchise to begin with. Just do what you do ND, and things will be great!
Edit: sorry bout spelling, I blame it on my iPhone.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 12/13/2010 1:06:47 PM
4 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:19:23 PM
There are a ton of titles that hype are killing. Another one is FFvXIII. It doesn't help that SE and the franchise are already under a microscope right now.
But I mean, we're learning about games sometimes 3 years in advance! If you ask me, 1 year in advance is too much sometimes. I wish there was a healthier balance between promotion/hype and time. 2 or 3 months of hype won't really hurt anyone. Obviously, with your great example of GT5, years of hype sets people up for having totally unrealistic expectations of perfection to the point that people don't recognize absolute epicness.
But watch. Forza 4 is less than a year away and freshly announced. It will get better reviews, but will likely be inferior to GT5.
2 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:47:06 PM
And yea as you stated their does need to be a healthy balance of hype, promotion and time. I feel like developers try n hit the big show too far in advance just to get the product out their. Thats great and all, but how much more epic would it have been to assume ND was working on U3 with no clarification, and them drop a bomb at say E3 2011. The better part of that would have been that we dont have to wait a year after finally getting an announcement. Only a few months!
Idk promotion is great but that balance you mentioned is definitely missing!
2 up, 1 down
maxpontiac
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 3:48:41 PM
GT5 delivers when it comes to the actual driving.
And DRIVING is what the genre is all about!!
3 up, 0 down
PorkChopGamer
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 1:15:07 AM
I can only say 'wow' to that statement. Forza does a good number of things better than GT5 and we're talking about a dev that has less money, less time, less disc space, and working on an inferior machine. Hence, the shalacking that GT5 is receiving. GT5 has some numbers, but that doesn't mean EVERYTHING. I mean, when a game from 2007(PGR4) embarrasses your weather effects, come on. To me, GT5 is the epitome of the saying 'Jack of all trades, master of none.'
On the subject of the article, I believe wholeheartedly Naughty Dog can deliver an even more enjoyable experience than Uncharted 2. I just hope the old ticker can take it.
0 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 1:37:21 AM
Also, the customisation options in FM3 were unreal, but again, that doesn't really matter. All that REALLY matters in a simulation game is the authenticity of the simulation, and Forza Motorsport 3 is no match to GT5 there.
Peace.
2 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 1:44:25 AM
But anyway.
I and others don't care what a biased site says about GT5, everyone is happy and likes the game just fine. It's the people who like to nitpick and complain about it that's downing GT5 when the expectations people had are unrealistic to what they are expecting from a game.
I never put my expectations high on a game, and when the game comes out I'm always satisfied by the game and not disappointed like others that have an extremely high expectations that probably is not realistic to begin with.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 12/14/2010 1:46:13 AM
2 up, 0 down
sawao_yamanaka
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 3:27:10 AM
Also PGR4 had very mediocre rain effects. Besides the thunderstorms which I thought were nice the game was bad. Very arcadey.
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 4:20:27 AM
0 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 4:33:15 AM
You are reading too into my comment, I'm talking about the 'Big' sites that are telling people it's garbage. I'm well aware that the game is not a downer, I'm saying the people at the sites reviewing it are setting it as a downer and not what the game truly is about, and not about the sales charts as i know it's doing very very well for itself.
I'm a full supporter of GT5. In no way shape or form am i hating on it, i love the game a lot i think it's perfect the way it is.
And the sales prove the sites wrong.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 12/14/2010 4:37:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
PorkChopGamer
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 7:32:18 AM
So sales equal quality NOW? COD must be one of the greatest games ever created then...
I spent alot of time with GT5 this weekend,. I bought it because everyone was raving and even though I hadn't been impressed when my friend showed me, I figured maybe there is something I wasn't seeing. I admit my hype level for this game was high, as were alot of others. But that is the fault of Yamauchi and Sony. Look back at comments up to release, how they were only ging to do things if they were 'PERFECT'. How GT5 would be the ultimate racing experience, the culmination of every racer before it. So I was expecting damage up to the level of The Grid, Dirt 2, and F1 2010. I was expecting the dynamic changing weather effects(rains streaks UP the faster you go) of PGR4. And yes, those effects change your handling. I was expecting customization and personalization on a level of Forza 3. When you blaze around a track in an Oddworld themed car complete with Abe why would I want to go back to simple primary colors?
Is it fair to compare GT5 to multiple games? Yes. With a budget and time of three or four games and the statements leading up to the release, it is absolutely fair. Is GT5 a BAD game? Absolutley not. The 9.9 it got here was completely deserving. But from a fan's standpoint, yeah, I am letdown.
0 up, 0 down
Clamedeus
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 3:45:28 PM
I never said sales = Quality, what i mean by that is that it proves them wrong that it's not a crappy game, and it wouldn't sell. Obviously it proved them wrong about it not going to be able to sell well, when they don't actually know the power behind the GT series.
And no the Hype isn't PD's or Sony's fault. It's you, the expectation you had was probably way too high and that's what caused you to be disappointed. The weather effects in the game is fine, it might not be perfect but it does the job. The weather effects may not look real but the effects it has is real when you are racing.
I understand where you are coming from but never get over hyped by a game, because that will be the end result, i still think (In my Opinion) GT5 is fine the way it is and it plays very well.
Damage increases as you level, and even if it's not that good that's not what was apart of the GT Series to begin with, that's why it doesn't look as good as Dirt or any other game that has crazy damage modeling. The true experience is the 'DRIVING' of the game not the damage or how the weather effects look.
0 up, 0 down
Maiq The Liar
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 5:20:45 PM
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:26:15 PM
Reply
4 up, 0 down
slugga_status
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:27:42 PM
Reply
I don't expect anything but a game that at the minimum, will be just as good as Uncharted 2. I think they'll blow the doors off with Uncharted 3 but that's just how I keep my personal hype machine controlled....that..and I already pre-ordered it....
1 up, 0 down
Ludicrous_Liam
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:39:54 PM
Reply
Any game I play now, I just think ”UC2 did that better..”. Its ruined video games for me lol.
1 up, 1 down
RebelJD
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:45:08 PM
Reply
Sweetness
2 up, 0 down
hadouken
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 1:58:22 PM
Reply
Anybody know if you can pre orders this now?
1 up, 0 down
frylock25
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:04:10 PM
Reply
universal code for free uncharted 3 avatar
4 up, 0 down
gangan19
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:24:13 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:35:06 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:35:46 PM
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What will make it better is the extra features like new weapons, vehicles, mini-games, characters, specially characters. If the new characters can surpass those in UC2 then that alone will make the game better.
Naughty Dog's too awesome.
0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:42:42 PM
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I for one am saving my money for November 2011. Two of my favorite series are releasing new games that month.
1 up, 1 down
ZettaiSeigi
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 10:16:35 PM
Anyway, I have complete faith with Naughty Dog. They're a definitely one (if not THE) best developers right now and they would not let us down with their next game. That's why they are pressured about Uncharted 3. I am betting everything that I at least would love that game when I get to play it.
2 up, 0 down
swapnilgyani
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:50:02 PM
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They've set a ridiculously high benchmark that no one else has been able to beat thus far. Now its their turn to take a shot at it, and the whole world is holding its breath. Fans are certain in their heart that the previous effort will undoubtedly be exceeded, while distractors look for the smallest of holes to try and sink the ship.
Which is why it is important for them to curb the hype train at this stage. Infact, ND can take a leaf from how Nolan is keeping everything under wraps for TDKR. No more scripting details, footages or screenshots for atleast 6 months before release.
2 up, 0 down
SixSpeedKing
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 10:31:21 PM
2 up, 0 down
Snorge
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 2:50:50 PM
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Not many companies have been around long enough to start on the PS1 and create an icon known the world over (Crash) then create a completely new franchise on the PS2 and blow the doors off their technical hinges with Jak and Daxter, and then completely reinvent the wheel with Uncharted 1.
3 generations on Sony's machine and they without a doubt have completely blown past industry standards! More props to you Naughty Dog, and dont worry about our pressure, I think you set the bar high enough yourself and will accomplish that yet again and show everyone that a videogame is more than a child's play toy and can sit right next to those blockbuster movies quality-wise.
Last edited by Snorge on 12/13/2010 2:52:19 PM
4 up, 0 down
ace_boon_coon
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 3:15:49 PM
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1 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 4:10:04 PM
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0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 4:19:22 PM
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But I have complete faith in those who are already the 10's out there.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 4:29:25 PM
3 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 5:31:20 PM
Reply
Drake's Deception: Go Behind the Scenes with the Naughty_Dog Folks!
http://bit.ly/e9myb1
0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 6:02:20 PM
Reply
0 up, 3 down
Clamedeus
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 1:38:48 AM
0 up, 0 down
AcHiLLiA
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 7:40:43 PM
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0 up, 0 down
SixSpeedKing
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 10:31:50 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 1:04:20 AM
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Both games have presented these beautifully, but I feel a heavier focus on the mythology behind Imam of the Pillars, and possibly the sandworms would work well. And the characters thus far have been amazingly relatable. That will continue, but at the same time, I get the feeling that Drake and Co. are largely archetypes, and I'd like to see a more complex character emotionally. The best example of the kind of character I'd like to see off the top of my head would be Hope, from FFXIII. Focussed on the negative, I think would be a brilliant contrast to Nate, Elena, Sully and Chloe.
The pressure they face from outside is immense, as people have a need to see something bested, and ND are really the only ones that can beat U2:AT. The internal pressure, as they say, must be through the roof. It's always worse when you are your own critic than when someone else is, because you are intimately familiar with it, you know where the quality, and it is ridiculous. If anyone can do it though, it's these guys,
Peace.
0 up, 0 down
bloody_rootz
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 3:26:15 AM
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Plus just the name of it "Drakes Deception" has got me captivated, i wonder what it could be. I know one thing and that's it gonna be a hell of ride and i can't wait!
GO NAUGHTY DAWWG!!
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 4:18:57 AM
Reply
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
0 up, 0 down
bloody_rootz
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 7:24:25 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Kevin555
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 9:55:50 AM
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If anyone can do it though it's Naughty Dog. Their passion, support for its fan base, confidence & self pride is a rarity compared to most big shot developers spurting out bs headlines before their games are even released.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 @ 1:00:48 PM
Reply
Here's a "Uncharted: Deception" Theme voucher
93N6 - BHNA - 9QC5
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 @ 3:08:06 PM
Reply
BTW to all,
I believe that the above code has been opened to everyone for a limited time(since I know that least 2 people were able to download it already).
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 @ 4:27:49 PM
Reply
Jimmy Fallon is the first person out of Naughty Dog to play the game.
Uncharted 3 is a little under a year away from release, but it's already looking quite good if this early game-play footage is any indication.
While Fallon performs almost laughably, it's pretty jaw dropping how great that fire looks.
http://www.thealistdaily.com/news/uncharted-3-appears-on-late-night/
0 up, 0 down
NazzyQ
Reply
Monday, December 13, 2010 @ 12:45:01 PM