Naughty Dog
Naughty Dog business and news from across the web.
(For Southeast Asia) PlayStation Store: June 2026’s top downloadsThe PlayStation Store has revealed the top downloaded games for June 2026 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation VR2. In Asia, sports titles like NBA 2K26 and EA SPORTS FC 26, along with DAVE THE DIVER, led the charts. Meanwhile, Escape the Backrooms dominated downloads in the US and Canada.
PlayStation is Using Generative AI for Placeholder Voices and ArtSony is utilizing generative AI tools within its PlayStation studios to assist developers with repetitive tasks, aiming to speed up iteration and improve output quality. These AI tools are being used for creating placeholder assets like synthetic voices and art, as well as accelerating QA, 3D modeling, and facial animations. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to augment human creativity and capabilities rather than replace artists and creators.
Something for the Weekend – 04/07/26This week's gaming news includes Sony phasing out physical disc production by 2028 and closing PlayStation Store access for PS3 and Vita again. Xbox is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature. Several games received release date changes or confirmations, including Onimusha: Warlords and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Reviews were published for Rhythm Paradise Groove and WILL: Follow The Light, alongside previews for Fatekeeper, Witchspire, Dziady, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Splatoon Raiders.
The Last of Us Part 3 Could Offer “A Whole Other Story,” Says Troy BakerVoice actor Troy Baker believes there is potential for a "whole other story" in The Last of Us franchise, expressing his willingness to participate in a potential The Last of Us Part 3. He cited the rich lore between Joel and Tommy as a strong foundation for new narratives, and trusts Naughty Dog to decide the direction of future installments.
Consoles continue their trend of just becoming worst PCsThe article argues that modern consoles like PlayStation and Xbox are becoming inferior versions of PCs, losing their unique advantages. Factors like the shift to digital-only, rising prices, and the diminishing value of exclusives are making PCs a more compelling and flexible gaming platform.
Jak & Daxter: RandomizedThis article details how to set up and play Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy using a PC-native multi-world randomizer. It explains the process of obtaining the game's ISO, using the OpenGOAL translator to run it natively on PC, and integrating with Archipelago software for randomized item and move pools. The guide highlights the fun and replayability offered by these fan-made modifications, even suggesting future challenges with combined game randomizers.
More Expensive Consoles Don’t Result in Better Games, Says Former Naughty Dog ArtistFormer Naughty Dog artist Del Walker argues that more expensive next-generation consoles will not lead to better games, citing ballooning development costs and complexity. He suggests that limitations foster creativity and that rising budgets contribute to layoffs. Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino acknowledged that absorbing component cost increases is unrealistic, hinting at potential price hikes.
Uncharted PS5 remake scrapped by Naughty Dog, it’s claimedNaughty Dog reportedly shelved plans for a PlayStation 5 remake of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to focus on The Last of Us: Part I. A section of the original Uncharted was remade with Uncharted 4's graphics, but the scope of a full remake led to the project's cancellation. The future of the Uncharted series is uncertain, with rumors suggesting Bend Studio may take over.
Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO hasn't given up on live-service games just yetDespite numerous cancellations and underperforming titles, Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino has reaffirmed the company's commitment to live-service games. Nishino stated that the genre is still relatively new and that Sony wants to continue taking on challenges within it, aiming to revitalize the market with both first-party and third-party content. Sony plans to release its own live-service title, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, this year.
Releasing The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 faster risks "disappointing fans," Bethesda veteran says following reports that Microsoft wants to speed up developmentA former Bethesda developer, Bruce Nesmith, suggests that rushing the development of The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 could lead to fan fatigue. He emphasizes the balance between resources, time, and quality in game development, noting that excessively long or short development cycles can be detrimental. Nesmith believes a sweet spot of around three to five years between major releases is ideal for meeting fan expectations without burnout.
007 First Light Is Making The Case For Shorter, Sharper AAA CampaignsThis article argues that shorter, focused AAA campaigns can offer superior value compared to bloated open-world or live-service titles. It highlights games like 007 First Light, Marvel's Spider-Man, and Titanfall 2 as examples of delivering quality experiences within reasonable playtimes. The piece suggests that despite rising development costs, publishers can still find success with well-crafted, linear narratives.- The Last of Us Part 2 Multiplayer Lives On as PvP Mod Due Out Later This YearAlthough Naughty Dog canceled its official multiplayer project for The Last of Us Part 2, a new player-versus-player mod is expected to be released for PC later this year. This mod aims to fill the void left by the canceled Factions mode.
The Last of Us 2 Is Finally Getting Multiplayer, But Naughty Dog Ain't Making ItA talented modder has created a multiplayer mode for The Last of Us Part II on PC, inspired by the original Factions mode. This fan-made version utilizes character models and maps from the main game, aiming for a competitive online experience. While Naughty Dog's official multiplayer project was canceled, this mod is expected to be completed by September and will require a PC copy of the game.
The Last of Us Part 2 will get multiplayer later this year, but not from Sony, and sadly not on PS5 eitherA multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part II has been released by modder Specilizer, featuring lobby systems and custom maps, with a September release date. Meanwhile, CD Projekt Red's co-CEO Michał Nowakowski admits the company has not yet fully redeemed itself in the eyes of fans after the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, despite significant improvements and positive reception to its Phantom Liberty expansion.- The Stream Team: Hawthorne, SpiritVale, Caved In, Trine 6, and more Steam Next Fest multiplayer demosMassively OP's MJ Guthrie will be showcasing various multiplayer game demos from Steam Next Fest, including Hawthorne, SpiritVale, Caved In, and Trine 6. Hawthorne is notably developed by former employees of Bethesda, BioWare, and Naughty Dog. The stream will focus on multiplayer and MMORPG titles, with a mention of interest in single-player games like Chonky Cat and Where We Used to Play.
Report: PlayStation changed first-party single-player PC strategy due to lack of revenueSony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly shifted its strategy for releasing first-party single-player games on PC, with CEO Hideaki Nishino confirming that such titles will now be exclusive to PlayStation platforms due to insufficient revenue. Live-service games, however, will continue to be released on both PC and PlayStation 5 to reach a wider audience.
Why so many game developers don't want to use generative AIMany game developers express strong reservations about using generative AI, citing ethical concerns, environmental impact, copyright issues, and job security risks. Despite some executives championing AI as a tool for efficiency, a significant portion of the industry views it as unproven, potentially harmful to creativity, and undesirable by players.
Naughty Dog’s Silence Is Getting Harder To IgnoreThis article analyzes Naughty Dog's perceived lack of new game releases on the PlayStation 5, contrasting it with their prolific output in previous console generations. Despite the upcoming 'Intergalactic,' the studio's focus on remakes and remasters of 'The Last of Us' and 'Uncharted' franchises has led to concerns about their current development rhythm and originality.
Microsoft nearly killed former Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us director's new game, but he managed to save it after the first trailer, fellow Naughty Dog vet says: "It was game over"Bruce Straley's new game, Coven of the Chicken Foot, developed by his studio Wildflower Interactive, faced cancellation when Microsoft abruptly pulled its funding in July 2025. However, a trailer released during The Game Awards attracted new investors, saving the project. This incident highlights the volatile nature of game development funding, even for experienced creators like Straley, who previously co-directed The Last of Us and Uncharted 4.- Ex Naughty Dog artist explains why we didn’t see Intergalactic at summer games festA former Naughty Dog artist explained why the game Intergalactic was not showcased at the Summer Game Fest. The artist clarified that the absence was not due to any issues with Naughty Dog itself.