It was a bit of a shock earlier this week when we heard that Amy Hennig – creative director and writer on the Uncharted series – had left developers Naughty Dog.
It was also a shock to read an initial report from IGN that claimed she had been “forced out by The Last of Us’ Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley.”
While there’s no denying that Hennig has indeed departed the studio, Naughty Dog have come out today and issued a statement denying that her departure had been the result of Druckmann and Straley.
Earlier this week we had to confirm the regrettable news that Amy Hennig has left Naughty Dog. She will be missed and, as we stated before, we appreciate the significant contributions that she has made to Naughty Dog and the industry in general. We wish her the best.
However, we feel it necessary to clear up a very important point that was unprofessionally misreported when the story broke. Bruce Straley and Neil Druckmann were NOT involved in what transpired. It was very upsetting to us that dozens of stories were run, linking back to the same hurtful accusations in the original report. As co-presidents of Naughty Dog, we are responsible for all studio affairs.
Normally, we wouldn’t respond to rumours and speculation on matters that are internal to Naughty Dog, but because the personal reputation of two of our employees is being damaged we needed to set the record straight. There is nothing left to be said on this subject. Now we’re going back to what we should be focused on — making games.
So…she was forced out, just not by them? The statement is signed by Naughty Dog’s co-presidents Evan Walls and Christophe Balestra. “There is nothing left to be said on this subject”? I wonder.
Comments
9 responses to “Naughty Dog Denies Uncharted Writer “Forced Out” By Last Of Us Makers”
nothing left to chart
kill me
So…she was forced out, just not by them? I wonder /facepalm
It was exactly this speculation which lead to the original “unprofessionally misreported” story.
It’s IGN, the TMZ of the gaming industry
Haha, low blow joe.
But very apt
Wouldn’t get too ansty about the writing of the last of us being great I thought the story was just a rip off of The Road, with a hint of I am legend style “immunity” in someone’s blood.
The immunity isn’t anything new, it’s basic biology.
“I am Legend style”? More like biology 101 style…
Besides, it’s easy enough for you to sit there and confine an entire game’s writing down to a single factor in the plot, when it’s common knowledge that the writing is far deeper than that. The writing is in the entire story, the dialogue, characters… I wouldn’t get too antsy about your ability to provide thoughtful criticisms. :/
Clearly you have not read The Road, as then you wouldn’t be trying to tell me it’s a single factor that is similar, as you say, its the entire story, the dialogue, the characters, their interactions etc.
“So…she was forced out, just not by them? ”
What a stupid comment. Someone seems potentially a little frazzled by ND calling the earlier speculative reports ‘unprofessional’
Then you need to learn a little more about literature.
pfft. The game was overrated and the story was like loosely packed dogshit, smells great but ultimately if you eat it it will make you sick.