Naughty Dog Taking a Slow Approach With New IP May Be For The Best

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Naughty Dog Taking a Slow Approach With New IP May Be For The Best

Key Takeaways

  • Naughty Dog faces pressure post-The Last of Us 2, with the cancelation of the series’ live-service spin-off being a major blow.
  • Rumors suggest Naughty Dog’s next game could be a sci-fi IP, but recent lukewarm sci-fi game releases could be a concern.
  • Developing its sci-fi game slowly could prevent Naughty Dog’s game from being ignored due to potential sci-fi burnout, as the studio could but distance between its project and recent, divisive sci-fi releases.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen the ebb and flow of trends in the industry. Naughty Dog has always been a studio that I hold in high regard for their exceptional storytelling and character development. However, the last few years have undeniably been challenging for them, with the cancellation of The Last of Us’ live-service spin-off being a significant blow.

Naughty Dog, a renowned gaming studio, has earned its respectable position in history by consistently delivering some of the finest narrative experiences. Its work seldom strays from excellence when it comes to maintaining a balance between pacing, tone, and character growth. While other developers who focus more on nonlinear gameplay might appeal to some, Naughty Dog’s stellar reputation is rooted in the solid groundwork they laid with titles like Jak and Daxter and Uncharted, both developed under Sony’s first-party banner.

Despite maintaining an excellent standing, Naughty Dog has undeniably faced difficulties over the past couple of years. Following the release of The Last of Us Part 2, the team has been under immense scrutiny, and the shelving of their live service project based on The Last of Us was a significant setback. After the demise of The Last of Us Online, there have been numerous whispers about what’s in store for Naughty Dog next, with a potential new Intellectual Property (IP) featuring a science fiction setting frequently mentioned by industry insiders. If this rumor holds true, adopting a more gradual and unhurried development process could serve as an appropriate strategy for Naughty Dog.

The Sci-Fi Rumors for Naughty Dog’s Next Game Could Be a Problem in 2024

There’s been no official word yet about Naughty Dog’s upcoming project, but it’s been hinted that they might be working on a new intellectual property (IP) for quite some time now. With such a renowned studio like Naughty Dog, there’s always speculation about their next move, and recent whispers suggest that their next creation could be set in the realm of science fiction. This genre is relatively unexplored by Naughty Dog, but it seems like a perfect fit given their exceptional narrative skills, as sci-fi storytelling could greatly benefit from their unique style.

Given the recent challenges faced by the science fiction genre in video games, with titles like Starfield, Concord, Star Wars: Outlaws receiving mixed reviews, and Bungie’s struggles, it might be prudent for Naughty Dog to take a step back and allow some time to pass before introducing their new project. This would help distinguish their work from the ongoing debates surrounding these divisive science fiction releases.

It’s being whispered that Santa Monica might be developing a science fiction video game as well. Therefore, it would be important for Sony to ensure that their two major in-house game launches are not too closely timed.

Sci-Fi Has Been Dominant, but Disappointing in Recent Times

Science fiction offers limitless imagination for creators, pushing boundaries without strict constraints. On one hand, it adapts beautifully across various mediums and presents numerous intriguing paths. Lately, however, fresh science fiction concepts or additions to established series haven’t been as well-received as expected. For instance, the upcoming Disney+ series The Acolyte, as well as Star Wars: Outlaws, have received lukewarm responses. Similarly, new endeavors like Netflix’s Atlas and Bethesda’s Starfield haven’t made a significant cultural mark. To steer clear of adding to the current monotony in the genre, it seems Naughty Dog might benefit from investing more time in refining their game.

For some gamers, the duration of the PlayStation 5 has been disappointing due to a scarcity of first-party games over the past few months. The sequel to “Ghost of Tsushima” is nowhere to be found, “Horizon”‘s third installment hasn’t been unveiled yet, and Bend Studio has been silent since the launch of “Days Gone”. After a series of contentious remakes and the cancellation of their major “Last of Us” multiplayer game, Naughty Dog has faced a lot of negative press recently. It’s crucial for them to ensure that their upcoming sci-fi project avoids being tainted by the controversy that has shrouded other games in its genre.

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2024-08-31 20:33