Ex-Naughty Dog Dev: Intergalactic Takes Big Risks

Ever wonder what it's like to stop being a game developer and just enjoy games as a fan again? Matt Radford, a former senior VFX artist at Naughty Dog, knows that feeling. After working on The Last of Us and Uncharted 4, he's now far enough removed from the studio to simply look forward to its next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Speaking on Kiwi Talkz, Radford explained that he's ready to experience Naughty Dog's output as a regular player. "I'm definitely so far removed from Naughty Dog that I definitely will play Intergalactic and just get to have a good time," he said. He's confident there's something special in store, predicting, "There's no way there's not something captivating going on there."

Radford admits he still has his own opinions—both good and bad—but ultimately, he's just happy the studio is still pushing forward. "To be honest, I'm just so happy that the institution that is Naughty Dog is still going, and that someone is taking big risks on art like that on a really high level," he added. It's a sentiment many fans share, especially with Naughty Dog's impressive track record in the triple-A space.

He also touched on the business side of things. According to Radford, Naughty Dog operates differently from most studios because it's not as profit-driven. "My understanding is really that Naughty Dog is just to sell Sony hardware," he explained. "The reason Naughty Dog is so wonderful is they aren't as profit-driven as other companies because they exist to be a flagship to sell the hardware. Sony makes their money on the hardware, and I think it's working." That creative freedom allows the team to take big swings, which generally pay off.

Radford pointed to CD Projekt Red as another example of a studio that keeps making bigger releases because each one performs well. Since leaving Naughty Dog, he's worked at Sony Santa Monica, Riot Games, and Epic Games, giving him a well-rounded view of the industry. He also noted that financial headwinds are more volatile now, with looming questions around profitability.

In an era where layoffs are common, Naughty Dog remains one of the few major studios that hasn't been hit by widespread restructuring rumors. Whether that holds true as Intergalactic ramps up is anyone's guess. The game is already being teased as something that will test the bounds of what Naughty Dog is capable of—The Last of Us star even warned, "You are not ready."

So, are you excited to see what Naughty Dog does next with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet? What do you think about the studio's risk-taking approach? Let us know in the comments!