Home Gaming Uncharted’s creative lead has left Naughty Dog

Uncharted’s creative lead has left Naughty Dog

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saduncharted

If you’ve ever played any of the Uncharted games, you’ll probably know the – or at least recognise – the name Amy Hennig. She’s the creative force behind the series, having been the director for Drakes Fortune, writer and director and team lead of Among Thieves and Drake’s Deception. And according to IGN, she’s now left Naughty Dog.

It seems that a fair bit of acrimony was involved, as according to IGN’s “trusted sources” Hennig was  “forced out” by The Last of Us’ creative duo Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley. that all sounds rather ominous.

They say Hennig served her last day at Naughty Dog on March 3, and that the Uncharted series might come under Druckmann and Straley’s control.

Sony has now confirmed this – and it’s pretty disheartening stuff. I’ve been quite a fan of Hennig since before she even joined Naughty Dog; she served as director, producer, and writer for Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. She also directed and wrote Soul Reaver 2 and Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

Here’s what Sony had to say:

"We can confirm that Amy Hennig has left Naughty Dog. Amy has made significant contributions to the game industry and we appreciate all she has done for Naughty Dog. The development timeline of Uncharted will not be impacted."

The tone of that confirmation leads me to believe something untoward has happened. what do you think? where does this leave the Uncharted series?

Last Updated: March 5, 2014

24 Comments

  1. JustAnotherGamer

    March 5, 2014 at 07:42

    I don’t think it matters or should matter. Hennig was definitely the creative force behind the earlier games but Druckman and Straley aren’t new to writing either. They’re not inexperienced. U3 felt a little disjointed and maybe a new direction is needed for the franchise.

    Reply

    • oOqUiS

      March 5, 2014 at 08:48

      Thank you. i first felt like crying but after what you just pointed out it makes sense.

      Reply

  2. Pieter Kruger

    March 5, 2014 at 07:51

    Go work for M$!

    Reply

    • iAmWeasel

      March 5, 2014 at 08:21

      Why would anyone actually WANT any game to suck?? You take fanboy-ism to new heights dude.

      Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        March 5, 2014 at 08:35

        Speak for yourself, my anger is towards those 2 pricks that forced Henning out! Anyway, you clearly mistook “might actually” for “I really really really wish”…..Yaaaaaawn!

        Reply

        • iAmWeasel

          March 5, 2014 at 08:41

          Ya, cause I’m sure you wish nothing but roses and rainbows for Playstation.. riiiiiight. Well good for her if she gets a job at MS.. I’m sure she’ll do great things working on the next Kinect Sports Rivals title.

          Reply

    • oOqUiS

      March 5, 2014 at 08:55

      Pieter you never reply to any of my fanboy combacks???Don’t you like me;(?

      Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        March 5, 2014 at 09:05

        I will make a big effort in the future I promise…….and NO! ????

        Reply

        • oOqUiS

          March 5, 2014 at 09:11

          AAAAAWWWW…..thank you that means a lot.

          Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        March 5, 2014 at 09:10

        There you go….

        Reply

    • oOqUiS

      March 5, 2014 at 09:34

      Yo Pieter on a serious note. Have you played The last of us?

      Reply

    • oOqUiS

      March 5, 2014 at 09:56

      Listen, the thing i like about u is u know what u want, i can relate. i’m going to make you an offer and i don’t usually do this but like i said, i like u. I’m selling my ps3 coz i’m getting PS4 next month. And you seem like a guy that’s financially well off. PS3 + killzone2,3, god of war 3, uncharted 3 and of course The last of us. i can get R2600 but i’m willing to sell it for R2200 courier included? on one condition…..you play killzone first, then god of war 3, then uncharted and then off course The last of us last. Even after that u can sell everything and i can bet you’ll make an extra buck. But to let your fanboyesm stand between YOU(as a gamer)and the best game ever created by mankind……that’s just a sad story. At the end of the day when all is done then you will under stand what the hole ‘Playstation” thing is about. Think about it.

      Reply

  3. Alien Emperor Trevor

    March 5, 2014 at 08:02

    I recognise the name, explains why the game was near perfect.

    Reply

  4. Alien Emperor Trevor

    March 5, 2014 at 08:04

    Wow Geoff, you missed an “uncharted waters” pun 😛

    Reply

  5. TiMsTeR1033

    March 5, 2014 at 08:11

    Sad to see such talent leave Naughty Dog, I never knew she did Soul Reaver, that game was one I loved and will always be a favourite/

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    March 5, 2014 at 08:11

    Hopefully the new uncharted took a couple of notes from Tomb Raider. Then it should be the best one yet.

    Reply

    • MakeItLegal

      March 5, 2014 at 08:41

      i am busy playing tomb raider on the pc as we speak , um the platforming sections are above average at best , u can see how scripted the game is , everything hangs on your move … i am enjoying the game and not trying to bash it , but i hope its more uncharted 2 than anything else .

      Reply

  7. Umar Praise The Golden Sun

    March 5, 2014 at 08:15

    Very bad…Hennig is absolutely brilliant….I can’t see why they would force such massive talent out….Very sad to hear this 🙁 Maybe she can go back to Soul Reaver (Wishful thinking)

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      March 5, 2014 at 08:19

      Imagine a next gen Soul Reaver.

      Reply

      • Umar Praise The Golden Sun

        March 5, 2014 at 08:28

        ….jizz

        Reply

  8. Rock789

    March 5, 2014 at 08:28

    That makes me sad… Best of luck to Amy on her future endeavors – I’m sure she’ll be back making awesome games again soon.

    Reply

  9. Cabbit

    March 5, 2014 at 09:04

    Amy Hennig is amazing at what she does, The Soul Reaver games being the shinning example. Sad to see her go this way. But maybe the Uncharted series needed a new direction, still no reason to get rid of her than rather placing her on a new project. Hope to see her shine in her next project.

    Reply

  10. McBeanoO

    March 5, 2014 at 09:17

    Now Sony has just increased their layoff count for 2014 to 5001.

    That’s the most distasteful way to ever let go of an employee who brought the gaming world to your door.

    Here’s hoping she does her own multiplatform startup.

    Thanks you Kaz.

    Thank you OctoKaz.

    Reply

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