Yesterday, Sony and Naughty Dog announced that due to logistic problems caused by COVID-19, The Last of Us Part II was delayed indefinitely, however, the studio shared a positive in the announcement, “we’re nearly done with development of The Last of Us Part II. We are in the midst of fixing our final bugs.” To back their words in the advanced development of the game, today the studio has released new screenshots of the game, showcasing the amazing graphics and facial expressions of the main characters.
However, even with us finishing the game, we were faced with the reality that due to logistics beyond our control, we couldn’t launch The Last of Us Part II around the same time, ensuring that we’re doing everything possible to preserve the best experience for everyone. This meant delaying the game until such a time when we can solve these logistics issues.
We were bummed about this decision but ultimately understood it’s what’s best and fair to all of our players. We’re hoping that this won’t be a long delay and we’ll update you as soon as we have new information to share.
We wish you all, your families, and your friends the best of health. Thank you for being amazing fans and your continued support. Stay Safe!. Naughty Dog
Kotaku’s Jason Schreier has done an investigation report of the crunch culture inside Naughty Dog. The main reason of crunching, is obviously bad management, the hierarchy in the studio might have just underestimated the actual development time. COVID-19 was the final nail in the coffin, but it maybe the telltale sign of a bigger problem inside Naughty Dog.
As one Naughty Dog developer recently told me: “This game is really good, but at a huge cost to the people.” Jason Schreier, Kotaku.
Schreier details an incredible accident, that reveals that Naughty Dog is forcing it’s team to the unbearable limit of crunching. Those kind of stories opens the room for speculating, if developers might be the reason of the imminent delay, it’s possible that Naughty Dog has requested the impossible to developers and they had just turned their back on the studio and do what the WHO and governments ask for citizens, self quarantine.
One Friday night last month, some artists at the video game studio Naughty Dog were working on their latest game when they heard a crash. A large metal pipe had fallen from above them and landed right next to their desks. If it had dropped a few feet closer, the consequences might have been dire. It was late, past 9 p.m., and the construction workers above had perhaps recklessly assumed that nobody was there. But at Naughty Dog, people were always there.
On Naughty Dog’s defense, one developer said that Naughty Dog seems sometimes to care about its team, but the priority is to meet the schedule.
“They do try to take care of you, providing food, encouragement to go take breaks, but for the most part, the implication is: ‘Get the job done at all costs.’”
Source: VideoGamesChronicle
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