Evan Wells, co-president of Naughty Dog, SIE’s first-party game development studio, has announced his retirement after 25 years at Naughty Dog.
Evan Wells joined Naughty Dog in the late 1990s and witnessed Naughty Dog from an ordinary platform game developer to one of Sony’s ace studios, and he himself reached the top of the studio.
Evan Wells
The work of Evan Wells will be handed over to Neil Druckmann, another co-president that everyone is familiar with. Evan Wells said in his speech: “I have full confidence in Neil Druckmann’s ability to run the studio. Now it is my responsibility for him and the other leaders of the studio. When the team is given the opportunity, let them lead the studio into a successful future.”
Neil Druckmann also introduced the new leadership team in another official blog post. Evan Wells was still the co-president until the end of the year before he officially left. After that, Neil Druckmann was the president and served as the creative director.
There was also a wave of promotions at the top under the Neil Druckmann system, Neil Druckmann Also wrote a blog postLet’s introduce these people.
Alison Mori has been promoted to Director of Operations, responsible for the overall operation and finance of Naughty Dog, and will jointly handle the business with Neil Druckmann.
Erick Pangilinan, who has worked at Naughty Dog for more than 25 years, and Jeremy Yates, who served as lead animator on several Uncharted titles, join the studio’s leadership team as co-art directors.
Anthony Newman, best known as co-game director on The Last of Us Part II alongside Neil Druckmann, will serve as production and design director.
