When you look at the world of video games and the personalities that emerge from it, few really manage to establish themselves as unmistakable, recognizable figures at first glance.
Such is the case, however, with Neil Druckmann, whose popularity peaked in 2013 with the release of the first The Last of Us, quickly elevated to cult status. His talent had already come to the fore, however, with his work on the first two Uncharted, released in 2007 and 2009.
But his career doesn’t stop there. The 46-year-old Israeli-American still has a lot to offer in the years to come, notably with his next creation, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
From humble beginnings to meteoric rise
How did this student at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science go from a hobbyist developing confidential games with a few friends to a creator respected and admired by his peers?
From the early 2000s onwards, Neil Druckmann expressed his love of video games by developing various small experiments, including an NES game in 2004. The console was released in 1983, at a time when modern machines such as the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Game Boy Advance were dominating the world market.
It was with Allan Blomquist that he developed his first game: Dikki Painguin in… TKO for the Third Reich. A title as evocative as it was quirky, featuring a ninja penguin tasked with fighting Nazis.
Surprising as it was, this project marked a turning point for Druckmann. He realized that his future lay in the industry, and his determination soon paid off. That same year, he was spotted by Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin at the Game Developers Conference.
Rising through the ranks at Naughty Dog
Starting out as a programming trainee, he soon landed a full-time position as a programmer, contributing to the Jak and Daxter license, notably on Jak 3 in 2004 and Jak X in 2005.
Over the years, Naughty Dog became more than just a studio for him, but a real family. Rather than leave for other horizons, he invested himself fully in the company and gradually climbed the ranks. From simple trainee, he became Lead Game Designer, then Creative Director, until reaching the position of co-president of the studio.
An impressive trajectory with no end in sight, given Neil Druckmann’s abundance of ideas and the eager anticipation of his work by millions of gamers worldwide.
The Last of Us, the work of a lifetime
While Uncharted was first and foremost the brainchild of Amy Hennig – now co-president of Skydance and director of Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra – it was The Last of Us that really catapulted Neil Druckmann into the spotlight.
Released in 2013, this game instantly became a reference in the genre, and its sequel, released in 2020, confirmed its status as a major video game work. The universe then expands with a TV series on HBO, where Druckmann takes on the roles of co-creator, executive producer and scriptwriter.
Recognition came with The Last of Us Part II, which established itself as one of the most awarded games in history, with over 260 awards, including the prestigious title of Game of the Year (GOTY) in 2020. As for the TV adaptation, it picked up eight Primetime Emmy Awards for its first season, and even a Fangoria Chainsaw Award in 2024.
And now?
Fans are eagerly awaiting a possible Part III of The Last of Us. However, Naughty Dog’s attention currently seems to be focused on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which is not due to see the light of day for several years. This means a long wait for gamers eager to discover this new universe.
It remains to be seen whether Neil Druckmann will continue his career with Naughty Dog, or whether he will one day set up his own studio to explore new perspectives. With the experience and notoriety he has accumulated over the decades, the question is worth asking.
In the meantime, we invite you to share your experiences of Neil Druckmann’s work and what it means to you.
