‘UNCHARTED’ creative director AMY HENNIG leaves Naughty Dog. Perhaps pushed out. #BackroomDealings
The main brain-piece behind the Uncharted franchise has peaced the fuck out of Naughty Dog. Amid reports that the minds behind The Last of Us did some squeezing of her out, Sony has confirmed the departure today. I’m really hoping that this doesn’t impact the quality of the next Uncharted, but if she’s being squeezed out, it ain’t by fools of lesser capabilities. Maybe? #GamingBackRoomPolitics
Citing numerous “trusted sources” close to Naughty Dog, IGN reports that Hennig was writing and leading the development of the next instalment of the Uncharted series for PlayStation 4 before her final day with the developer on March 3.According to IGN, sources claim the creative director was “forced out” of the company.
Hennig departs the studio after a decade, working as creative director and writer onUncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. She won the Writers Guild of America’s Outstanding Achievement in Writing for Video Games in 2012 for her work on Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.
Fortune Magazine recently listed Hennig in its top 10 list of the most powerful women in games, alongside Ubisoft Toronto managing director Jade Raymond and EA’s Lucy Bradshaw.
Polygon reached out to Naughty Dog and Sony for confirmation and comment. We will update this post as more information comes to hand.
Update: Sony confirmed with Polygon that Amy Hennig has left Naughty Dog and issued the following statement: “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 [Polygon]
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Uncharted PS4 Writer Amy Hennig Leaves Naughty Dog
Amy Hennig, the creative director and writer on the Uncharted series, has left developer Naughty Dog.
Numerous trusted sources close to Naughty Dog have verified Hennig’s departure from the studio. She was writing and leading development of Uncharted PS4. Her final day at the studio was Monday, March 3.
Sources claim Hennig was “forced out” by The Last of Us’ Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley, and explained that Uncharted may now come under their control.
Hennig recently celebrated her 10th anniversary with Naughty Dog, where she served as director and writer on Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves , and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Her work was recently profiled in IGN’s The History of Naughty Dog.
Update: Sony has verified Amy Hennig’s departure. A representative told IGN, “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.” [All Games Beta]