Ex-Naughty Dog Director to Open New Game Studio in Japan

07/09/2025 Industry

Big news in the gaming world! Vinit Agarwal, who used to be a director at Naughty Dog, is packing his bags and heading to Japan to create his own game studio. Pretty exciting, right?

Agarwal spent a decade at Naughty Dog, contributing to iconic titles like Uncharted and The Last of Us. He was even leading the charge on that standalone The Last of Us online multiplayer game before it got canned. It's awesome to see someone with that kind of experience branching out on their own.

He mentioned on social media that he's moving to Japan and starting a game studio, promising more details soon. While he didn't spill all the beans just yet, he did say he's still passionate about multiplayer games, so we can probably expect something in that realm. Which makes sense, considering his work on the canceled The Last of Us online project.

It's interesting to remember that The Last of Us Part 2 was originally supposed to have a multiplayer component, but Naughty Dog decided to release it as a single-player experience first. They planned to add multiplayer later, but eventually scrapped it altogether. I think that was a great call, because, in my opinion, it allowed them to focus on what they do best: narrative-driven single-player experiences.

Agarwal expressed gratitude for his time at Naughty Dog, thanking his colleagues and mentors. It sounds like he's ready for a fresh challenge and eager to build something from the ground up. This is a big step, and I think it shows a lot of courage and ambition.

Meanwhile, Neil Druckmann, another key figure at Naughty Dog, is working on a brand-new game called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He even stepped away from The Last of Us TV show to fully focus on the game. We don't know much about it yet, but Druckmann hinted that it explores themes of faith and religion, which is quite intriguing.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Agarwal cooks up in Japan. His experience at Naughty Dog combined with his passion for multiplayer games could lead to something truly special. I'll be keeping a close eye on this story, and I'll keep you all updated as I learn more!