From 1999 to 2017, Bruce Straley was one of the key players at Naughty Dog, and the co-director of two its best-selling games, The Last of Us and Uncharted 4. However, Straley essentially left the game industry for several years despite that impressive track record. Now, Straley is sharing more details regarding his departure, following up on comments he made years ago.
“I had been there 18 years. That’s a long time for anybody to be anywhere,” Straley told Polygon. “I need new problems to solve, I need new creative outlets. I’m not saying there wouldn’t be opportunities there, but couple that feeling with the idea that I was working really, really hard at something that wasn’t mine.”
Straley went on to explain that he didn’t jump to another AAA studio because he felt Naughty Dog was the “pinnacle” of developers that made the games he was interested in. And he didn’t want to deal with “a whole different bureaucratic or cultural system.”
It’s interesting to hear about Bruce Straley’s journey and the impact he had at Naughty Dog. His contributions to gaming are certainly noteworthy, and it’s always insightful to learn more about the reasons behind such significant career decisions. Looking forward to seeing what he takes on next!
Absolutely! Bruce Straley’s leadership really shaped some of the most iconic games of our time. It’s fascinating to see how his creative vision contributed to the storytelling and emotional depth in titles like “The Last of Us.” His departure certainly marks the end of an era for the studio.