For over two decades, Evan Wells has shaped and defined the video game industry through his work with Naughty Dog, a stalwart of gaming that has been a first-party Sony studio since 2001. But, alas, the time has come for Wells to step away. The co-president of the iconic studio announced his retirement after a remarkable tenure that spanned 25 years, with his departure date set at the end of the year.
A look at Wells’ resume will take you to a ride through gaming history itself. Wells joined Naughty Dog in 1998 during the development of Crash Bandicoot: Warped. His influence over the studio’s path, however, started taking shape in 2004 when he ascended to the position of co-president following the exit of founders Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin. Amidst choppy waters and leadership changes, Wells remained steadfast at the helm, steering the studio through the production of some of the most influential video games ever created.
Yet, as with any good story, there must be an ending. In his farewell announcement, Wells reflected on his tenure, stating, “I’ve come to realize that I’m content with my time at the studio and all that we’ve accomplished together over the last 25 years.” His departure is not without a touch of sorrow, though, as he added, “Not getting to see our current projects to completion is going to be hard.”
Looking ahead, the question of succession looms. While there are speculations, nothing concrete has been confirmed yet. Neil Druckmann, Wells’ co-president since 2020, and a pivotal figure in the studio’s story, praised his departing colleague. At the same time, Wells provided some insights into the studio’s future. Amid various changes, Anthony Newman, the co-director of the Last of Us Factions, is set to become the studio’s Head of Production and Design. This move, interestingly, coincides with the studio’s significant growth, which has led to a pressing need for a reshuffle in the studio’s leadership structure.
However, the story of Evan Wells is one of duality. His leadership has undeniably shaped Naughty Dog into a powerhouse of creativity, yet it has not been without controversy. Amongst his accolades lies a disconcerting account of the studio’s turbulent relationship with crunch culture and unionization. These factors might have played a role in the high attrition rate within the studio, which reportedly saw over 70% of the development staff from 2016’s Uncharted 4 leaving by 2020. This facet of Wells’ legacy highlights the paradox that often exists within creative industries.
Ultimately, Wells’ departure, while significant, isn’t the end for Naughty Dog. Instead, it marks the start of a new chapter, a road fraught with opportunities and its fair share of challenges for new management to navigate. After “giving up” on the Uncharted franchise, the award-winning studio is now working on at least one unannounced AAA project, as well as what many believe is an original fantasy title. It remains coy about whether or not The Last of Us Part 3 is in development, although leakers insist that it’s in the works with a new set of protagonists in tow. But, what’s certain is that Naughty Dog remains one of the gold standards in the gaming industry. The delay to The Last of Us Multiplayer proves the studio’s own expectations of itself, which hopefully will result in a game befitting the studio’s stature and the name of the franchise.
As for Wells, his departure, while sad, won’t remove his influence in the gaming world, thanks to the narratives he helped craft over the past 25 years or so.
Speaking of former Naughty Dog employees, one of the brains behind Uncharted, Amy Hennig, is busy working on games for Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm Games.
