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Naughty Dog Explains Why It Likely Won't Make Another Jak and Daxter Game

Even though Naughty Dog has become more well-known in recent years for its work on the Uncharted and The Last of Us franchises, longtime fans of the studio have continued to hold out hope that one day the developer would look to return to its roots and make another entry in the Jak and Daxter […]

comicbook.com

In a recent interview with Game Informer, Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Neil Druckmann opened up about the idea of returning to some of the properties that the studio used to work on in years prior. While both executives acknowledged that they still have a lot of love for the studio's properties of yesteryear, the reason that it hasn't created new installments with these franchises simply comes down to time constraints. "If we had endless resources and time it would be super fun to do that. You look at what Insomniac is doing with Ratchet and Clank and it’s exciting. It’s great to see that stuff," Wells said of the idea of potentially making another Jak title. "We’re just limited with time, you know, I’m 48 years-old and how many more games do you get to make, so you got to pick and choose."

Druckmann echoed this sentiment from Wells and said that the notion of returning to some of Naughty Dog's older properties is something that has been considered in the past. "Once we finish a project, we spend quite a bit of time entertaining all sorts of different directions, whether it’s going to be something new or if we’re going back to some old franchise. We really take our time with it, and if you were to see our folders of concept art you’d see unused concepts that are all over the gamut," Druckmann explained. "Then we look at everything and we ask ourselves what are we excited by? What’s something that’s going to challenge us and push us, and push the medium as far as games that can be? Because that inspiration is so important to carry through years of production."

 

[Fahdis]

This is all bullshit. They could make anything into a masterpiece given time. Druckmann is too busy creating characters like Abb... aaahh fuck it. Lost cause.

All they literally have to do is follow the template from the Precursor Legacy. Its the best one anyways.

 

[Great Hair]

SHOCKED, eye em!

they also forgot how to design videogames. it's all about slow walking sequences and cutscenes now.

 

[01011001]

they also forgot how to design videogames. it's all about slow walking sequences and cutscenes now.

 

[Kokoloko85]

They made 3-4 Jak n Daxter titles. I can understand they dont want to make more.

I want a new one but I hope another studio who wants to put all there time and effort into it makes it.

 

[Camreezie]

They pushed out a quick uncharted game not even five years ago so I dont buy it. A new jak and daxter game the size of lost legacy could easily be done by a B team

 

[Saint Boot]

Guess jack and Daxter/Crash bandicoot isn't woke enough for them.

 

[LazyParrot]

That's a really roundabout way of saying "It wouldn't sell as well as another Uncharted or TLOU."

 

[SlimySnake]

They pushed out a quick uncharted game not even five years ago so I dont buy it. A new jak and daxter game the size of lost legacy could easily be done by a B team

the entire studio ended up getting pulled into lost legacy delaying full production of tlou2.

 

[Hobbygaming]

I say good and if Sony decides they want a new Jak and Daxter give the IP to one of Insomniac Game's teams

I love Naughty Dog games for their combat and their realistic attention to details and animation on top of the story telling

 

[Kokoloko85]

they also forgot how to design videogames. it's all about slow walking sequences and cutscenes now.

Considering they make game of the year or runner up everytime they’ve released a game since Uncharted 2 says alot.

Apart from Rockstar not many studios can come close to producing something like Naughty Dog. The facial animation, attention to detail, voice acting. And no1 really comes close to doing action scenes like them. Theres lots of imitators like Tomb Raider but its not the same

And before anyone says Uncharted 4 has pacing issues, its better than most games out there…

Anyone who thinks TLOU or Uncharted are just slow walking sequences hasnt really played them. Theres alot of action, hand to hand combat, shooting, stealth etc

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Why make Space Jam 2024 when you could make Schindler's List Part 3?

 

[Represent.]

Basically, if you want to play some kiddy shit with no substance, crap graphics, and just regular video gamey shit, there's an entire industry out there for you.

ND only makes visceral masterpieces now, good.

I'm so happy with this direction

 

[TheInfamousKira]

Basically, if you want to play some kiddy shit with no substance, crap graphics, and just regular video gamey shit, there's an entire industry out there for you.

ND only makes visceral masterpieces now, good.

I'm so happy with this direction

You can tell you're doing it right when Jason Schreier compares your work to both the Holocaust *and* a Chinese sweat shop.

 

[Ezquimacore]

Jak and daxter won't be able to push any narrative, the game has to be fun and I'm not sure Neil Cuckman is able to do that, a fun game.

 

[Aldynes]

 

[Fahdis]

Basically, if you want to play some kiddy shit with no substance, crap graphics, and just regular video gamey shit, there's an entire industry out there for you.

ND only makes visceral masterpieces now, good.

I'm so happy with this direction

You sound like the Edgy prince from Warrior Within instead of the inqusitive one from Sands of Time.

NO FUN ALLOWED.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Basically, if you want to play some kiddy shit with no substance, crap graphics, and just regular video gamey shit, there's an entire industry out there for you.

ND only makes visceral masterpieces now, good.

I'm so happy with this direction

 

[SlimySnake]

I wish more devs did this. there is zero reason to be making kiddie games when you can make stuff like TLOU. Hell, i think even Uncharted is too kiddie for them.

And by kiddie, i dont mean platformers or games with cartoony art style, I am talking about the subject matter and core gameplay mechanics. Going back to uncharted feels so limiting after tlou2.

ND is a premiere studio like rockstar. it's like asking rockstar to make bully or top down grand theft auto games. no they have graduated. lets move on. lets push the medium. its not like ubisoft, ea and activision are going to do it. there are like 3-5 studios even capable of doing that, lets not have them make games that were made because they were limited by 20 year old tech.

 

[Hugare]

lol, its obvious why they wont go back

Imagine going from Uncharted, TLOU, to something like fucking Jak and Dexter. Please.

Its like saying that George Miller should stop making Mad Max movies to make Happy Feet or Babe sequels

You dont keep the best artists, tech, animators in the business to make Jak and Dexter. ND aims to push boundaries with each new game.

Like, Rift Apart was cool, but its not and never will be as critically aclaimed or sell as good as Uncharted/TLOU games. These games shake the industry.

 

[Kokoloko85]

Basically, if you want to play some kiddy shit with no substance, crap graphics, and just regular video gamey shit, there's an entire industry out there for you.

ND only makes visceral masterpieces now, good.

I'm so happy with this direction

While I don’t totally agree because I love games like Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper and Jak N Daxter. Im happy they are doing stuff like Uncharted and TLOU. Those games changed alot for the industry and brought alot of new stuff to games. They are masterpieces.

But I still think they can make a good Jak n Daxter game and take it to another level. Or at least another studio can do it which is what Id prefer with Naughty Dog supervision. I wouldnt call them kiddy shit with no substance lol. But I am happy with there direction

 

[TLZ]

Well at least give it the Crash Bandicoot remake treatment. I'm ok with that.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Men_in_Boxes explains why Naughty Dog won't make another Jak and Daxtar...

They aren't interested in making a game that sells 2 - 4 million copies after discounts.

 

[Kokoloko85]

All they literally have to do is follow the template from the Precursor Legacy. Its the best one anyways.

Id love Jak n Daxter 4 to be more like Precursor Legacy with a bit of Jak 2&3 sprinkled in.

Jak 1 was my favourite of the trilogy and one of my all time favourites

 

[retsof624]

Shit let Insomniac make another Jak then.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

Good, give it to someone else.

 

[Mikey Jr.]

At the end of the day, a studio should be able to make what THEY want to make.

If they don't feel like they have a desire to make a Jak game, then so be it.

They made 4 Jak games, and there was 2 more Jak games. So 6 in total. Its not like the series was left to wither on the vine.

They always put 100% into everything they do. And as a studio, I hope they keep doing that.

Having said that, I really hope their next franchise is a brand new IP.

 

[Guilty_AI]

you know the mainstream industry is doomed when people think ND games aren't kiddies games

 

[Hawking Radiation]

Shit let Insomniac make another Jak then.

I was just going to come in and say that.

Insomniac seems like the perfect studio to pump out this game alongside Ratchet & Clank.

I'd like ND to focus on big blockbuster AAA titles that push the tech as hard as possible. Give me more Last Of Us 2 type games and I'll be happy.

 

[anthony2690]

I personally never liked Jak and Dexter myself.
I never liked Ratchet either, but that furry little muppet got 16 games.
Now a game that deserves more titles and is sorely missed, is Ape Escape
Please...

Spoiler

I would ever consider a £70 remake at this point, no promises I wouldn't wait for it to be £50 though.

 

[Fake]

A random NPC will kill Jak. Daxter will kill everyone besides the random npc that kill Jak.

 

[EDMIX]

While I don’t totally agree because I love games like Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper and Jak N Daxter. Im happy they are doing stuff like Uncharted and TLOU. Those games changed alot for the industry and brought alot of new stuff to games. They are masterpieces.

But I still think they can make a good Jak n Daxter game and take it to another level. Or at least another studio can do it which is what Id prefer with Naughty Dog supervision. I wouldnt call them kiddy shit with no substance lol. But I am happy with there direction

Agreed.

If they don't have any ideas for one, let it die until they do. I'd rather they focus on what they are doing right now, then go backwards.

Have Bluepoint remake Jak 1-3 and maybe if people really, REALLY care and the sales are deep, then ND will think about it lol

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[MrHydra933BR]

It's actually very simple: family friendly games don't sell as they used to.

And last but not least...fuck Abby.

 

[Woggleman]

Nothing against these kinds of games but leave the kiddie stuff to others.

Also a game with some of the best third person combat I have seen in years is clearly much more than walking and cutscenes. I sometimes wonder if people even play certain games.

Another thing is a game does not need to be bright, colorful and cartoonish to be fun.

 

[sainraja]

they also forgot how to design videogames. it's all about slow walking sequences and cutscenes now.

I disagree. I think you are being disingenuous here. If you don't like their style, that's fine but to say they are just walking sequences and cutscenes is just false. And there are so many other studios making other styles of games so you don't need to be into what ND does. It's perfectly OK not to like something — their games are far from being 'walking sequences & cutscenes' and I think you DO know that.

 

[sn0man]

"Then we look at everything and we ask ourselves what are we excited by? What’s something that’s going to challenge us and push us, and push the medium as far as games that can be? Because that inspiration is so important to carry through years of production."

Agree and disagree. Nobody talks about the story and narrative of J&D like TLOU so yeah maybe that isn’t pushing the narrative part of the medium of games to do J&D.

However pushing the medium could also include pushing the graphics and engine and hardware. They aren’t pushing anything by making TLOU and Uncharted which admittedly share a relatively tight third person camera with a wide linear world.

but I’ve never played J&D so I don’t care as much.

ND are talented enough that I kind of just want something brand new from them. Where is a 4-player co-op experience or a local couch party game. What about a really tight sports game like rockstar pinball.

also what about pushing the medium as far as genre? Try mashing up or doing something like that.

 

[Oddvintagechap]

Insomniac is two studios. And been going back to Rachet after every failure. Its dependable. These are the games between Resistance 3 - Spiderman ( a licensed game, that follows the batman formula)

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Outernauts
Fuse
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus
Sunset Overdrive
Slow Down, Bull
Fruit Fusion
Bad Dinos
Digit & Dash
Ratchet & Clank
Song of the Deep
Edge of Nowhere
The Unspoken Feral Rites

Ratchet games created were from necessity. There could have been a world where Naughty couldnt get anything off the shelfs so they kept releasing Jak games. Until they released Spiderman game.

Santa Monica has only released GOW for the past 17 years. There is a world where Santa Monica released this. Instead they are going to make 2 more GOWs.

Redirect Notice

 

[Flutta]

Imagine believing this crap.

 

[Bo_Hazem]

Just give the IP to insomniac.

 

[Flutta]

Just give the IP to insomniac.

this.

 

[Oddvintagechap]

Just give the IP to insomniac.

They dont own the IP. They are more than free to use it. Insomniac will probably want to create a new IP, unless you think they’ll want to be going back and forth between Spiderman and Ratchet for the next decade.

 

[SpongebobSquaredance]

To the people that correlate "kiddy stuff" to something negative that can't possibly be visceral, substantial and groundbreaking... that's super pretentious and quite frankly false.
You can absolutely take something that is light hearted and turn it into a groundbreaking showpiece technically, gameplay- and content-wise, and also make it immersive and visceral.

Not to mention you can also take a IP and change the tone. It has been done plenty of times.

Example:

This was Batman in the 60's


goofy, funny, not really serious, silly

This was Batman in 2008


the exact opposite

Thats reminiscent of pretty much all Batman movies: They're either epic or silly, but point is that it's still the same IP, meaning you can take the source material of something and turn it into pretty much anything you desire.

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

He has no time for a new Jak and Daxter because theyre trying to figure out how to make Joel come back as a transgender ghost for LOU3

 

[Marvel]

Good, I don't want that shit.

 

[EDMIX]

To the people that correlate "kiddy stuff" to something negative that can't possibly be visceral, substantial and groundbreaking... that's super pretentious and quite frankly false.
You can absolutely take something that is light hearted and turn it into a groundbreaking showpiece technically, gameplay- and content-wise, and also make it immersive and visceral.

Not to mention you can also take a IP and change the tone. It has been done plenty of times.

Example:

This was Batman in the 60's


goofy, funny, not really serious, silly

This was Batman in 2008


the exact opposite

Thats reminiscent of pretty much all Batman movies: They're either epic or silly, but point is that it's still the same IP, meaning you can take the source material of something and turn it into pretty much anything you desire.

Thats too much logic for them.

The gaming community can't accept shit.

ND makes a darker Jak title (never mind that is the fucking direction it was headed in with 2, 3 etc) "oh woooooow they've ruined it"

ND makes light hearted Jak title "WTF is this kiddie shit?, now its WOKE everyone"

They will bitch regardless of whats done lol

 

[Woggleman]

If they made a darker and grittier Jak the meltdowns would be epic.

 

[synchronicity]

Jak was always easily overshadowed by R&C imho, so it's all good. TLOU and Uncharted are also much better imho. Not that I disliked Jak, it's just not on the level of the other stuff they've worked on recently and the competition of its own day.

 

[Maxwell Jacob Friedman]

they also forgot how to design videogames. it's all about slow walking sequences and cutscenes now.

....i didnt realize there was slow walking with all the murdering of WLF members, scars, dogs, zombies etc

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

Ironically, some of the most in-depth, imaginative and most fun games I played recently have been Nintendo games and they make a lot of family or “kiddie” games. Naughty Dog moving into a more mature direction is perfectly fine, but why are people acting like more family-friendly games can’t be relatively visceral as well?