Bruce Straley, who created Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us, left Naughty Dog in 2017 after 18 years at the studio. In an interview with Polygon, he talked about the reasons for his decision.
I spent 18 years there. That's a long time for anyone. I played a key role in creating the brand and these games, but I was constantly repeating the same processes. [...] My brain doesn't tolerate repetition well. I need new challenges and new creative opportunities. I realized that I was working hard on something that didn't belong to me.
Although he received a good salary and recognition, Straley decided to implement his own project with a new team.
It's time to develop my ideas and build a new team. Maybe it will fail, but it will be my choice.
Straley is currently working on Coven of the Chicken Foot for PC. The game, presented at The Game Awards 2025, tells the story of an old witch and her companion — a forest creature capable of learning and developing. The developers are focusing on exploring the world and solving puzzles.
