Naughty Dog Should Focus On Newer Games Instead of Re-releases

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Avinash Jaisrani

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Naughty Dog has solidified its reputation in the gaming industry with masterpieces like The Last of Us and Uncharted, making it one of the best AAA game development studios in the world.

However, the studio appears to have lost its footing. Recently, it announced a remastered version of The Last Of Us Part 2 that is scheduled to arrive on 19 January for the PS5.

This announcement caused an uproar among fans, leading to dislikes on YouTube. I had a similar reaction to this announcement and wondered if the studio was beginning to lose the magic it once had.

Reflecting on the recent years of Naughty Dog, I believe the developer should focus on newer projects, allocating all resources to bringing fresh and innovative experiences for PlayStation fans.

Why it matters: Naughty Dog is arguably the best studio under PlayStation’s belt. As masters of technology, storytelling, and game design, the developers on this team are some of the most talented in the industry.

Where Are The New Projects?

The Last of Us Multiplayer recently received a small snippet of positive news. This project is still in development after leaks of poor development.

Instead of increasing focus on this project, Naughty Dog chose to work on a remaster for a three-year-old game. The Last of Us Part 2 isn’t that old and boasts some of the best graphics I’ve ever seen in a video game.

I think a lot of people will agree with me on this. The game has held up well, and it is quite surprising that the studio still decided to work on a remaster. Additionally, the developer has been radio-silent about its future projects.

While we know developers like Insomniac are working on Wolverine, and Guerrilla Games is creating multiple Horizon games, a studio like Naughty Dog hasn’t provided any updates on future games in many years.

Naughty Dog since 2013👀👀🏃‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/rcJAv9b0Qs

— Post Up (@PostUp_SOG) November 18, 2023

Too Many Remasters/Remakes

Counting recent releases, Naughty Dog has put out four remasters/remakes in the last ten years.

The Last of Us Part 1 was released this year for PC. A few months earlier, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection was released to a lukewarm reception on the platform.

With another re-release of an existing game, I am growing concerned about Naughty Dog’s future. It seems the studio is just putting out filler games to fill the void between major releases.

In the past, remasters like The Last of Us made sense because the PS4 could not natively run PS3 games. However, in an era where The Last of Us Part 2 and the Uncharted games already ran well on PS5 through backward compatibility, this direction seems odd.

With rumors of The Last of Us Part 3, I am still hopeful for the future of this developer despite recent re-releases.

While Naughty Dog has not been at its best recently, I am confident that it will return to glory again. I just hope that it doesn’t get bogged down by its older projects to the point where it becomes detrimental to its latest releases.

Featured Image Source: @gabedoesvp

Avinash Jaisrani

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com