Naughty Dog Broke a Golden Rule of Gaming

Summary

The video explores Naughty Dog’s decision to slow the pace in Uncharted 2, despite concerns that players might lose interest. Earlier Uncharted scenes leaned into cinematic action: in Drake’s Fortune, shooting a red barrel flips a jeep into a bridge, while Uncharted 2’s train sequence delivers a dramatic action set piece. These moments exemplify Naughty Dog’s “in-game cutscenes,” which keep players close to the action and support the studio’s “playable movie” approach.

For the sequel, the team also wanted to create a quieter experience. Richard Lemarchand says the idea was inspired by The Graveyard, an avant-garde game by Tale of Tales in which an elderly woman walks through a cemetery. Its simple movement and atmospheric details suggested that a game could engage players through mood and reflection rather than constant action.

That influence helped inspire Uncharted 2’s peaceful village section. Instead of pushing players into combat or a major set piece, the level invites them to explore at a slower pace, taking in the birdsong, wind, clouds, and village life. The choice was controversial inside the studio, but the video presents it as a successful risk—and an example of games broadening their emotional and artistic range. Deliberately slowing players down has since become a recognizable tool in big-budget adventure games.

People and Sources Mentioned

• Richard Lemarchand, co-lead game designer on the original Uncharted trilogy
• Neil Druckmann, Amy Hennig, Bruce Straley, and Evan (surname not specified in the subtitles)
• The Graveyard by Tale of Tales
• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves