Bruce Straley departed from Naughty Dog after dedicating significant effort to projects that were not under his direct leadership

Bruce Straley, an experienced figure in the gaming industry, shared insights into his departure from Naughty Dog, emphasizing a desire for creative ownership.

In an interview with Polygon, Straley discussed his decision to leave the company known for The Last of Us and Uncharted, citing two main reasons: a quest for ownership and the pursuit of fresh challenges beyond his prior projects.

Straley exited Naughty Dog in September 2017. His career at the studio included significant contributions to the Crash and Jak and Daxter series and being elevated to co-art director for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune in 2007. He then assumed the role of game director for the sequel and oversaw development on The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief's End.

“Eighteen years is a lengthy tenure at any organization,” Straley noted.

"I played a key role in establishing those brands and had remarkable experiences within those teams," he recounted. "However, I felt as though I was constantly addressing the same issues. We were adhering to a certain game style, which I helped shape, yet it felt repetitive. My mind craves new challenges and creative outlets. Although opportunities might have existed, I was dedicating significant effort to something that wasn't originally my creation.”

Following his departure, Straley opted not to join another AAA studio, avoiding the complexities of different organizational or cultural environments, leading him to pursue independence. In 2022, he launched a new venture, Wildflower Interactive, which presented its first game, Coven of the Chicken Foot, at The Game Awards in 2025.

“Facing the decision to remain at Naughty Dog or move on, I questioned my next step,” Straley reflected.

"Naughty Dog represents the apex of a specific game genre, which I thoroughly enjoyed developing and playing. Transitioning to another AAA studio didn't appeal to me, particularly not to produce a first-person shooter or puzzle-platformer. The thought of encountering a new bureaucratic or cultural environment made it clear that wasn't an option for me,” Straley explained.

In 2023, Straley voiced his discontent with Naughty Dog for omitting his credit in The Last of Us TV adaptation.

"The lack of recognition for someone involved in co-creating that world and its characters illustrates a case for unionization," Straley argued, highlighting that he received neither recognition nor compensation for his contributions.