Evan Wells set to be honored with induction into the AIAS Hall of Fame

The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) will honor Evan Wells, the former co-president of Naughty Dog, by inducting him into their Hall of Fame during this year's DICE Awards.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Wells started as a designer on ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron, later working at Crystal Dynamics on titles like Gex and Gex: Enter the Gecko.

In 1998, Wells joined Naughty Dog, taking on roles such as lead designer and director for PS1 and PS2 games like Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped and Jak and Daxter.

By 2005, he advanced to co-president with Stephen White, guiding the production of the renowned franchises Uncharted and The Last of Us.

After a quarter-century at Naughty Dog, Wells announced his retirement in 2023.

"Recognizing Evan Wells for his creative leadership and extensive impact on the gaming industry is an honor," stated Meggan Scavio, the president of AIAS.

"Evan’s time at Naughty Dog has been marked by visionary leadership, integrity, and a respect for the industry. His efforts to foster talent and advance creativity have inspired developers and players worldwide," added Scavio.

Next month, Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog, will present Wells with this accolade from the AIAS.

Druckmann remarked, "Evan's steadfast leadership enabled Naughty Dog to produce truly remarkable games and make a significant industry impact. I’m privileged to present this prestigious Hall of Fame induction to him."

This AIAS award celebrates creators whose work has significantly influenced games and entire genres.

Last year, Ted Price, the founder of Insomniac Games, was the honoree.

Other recent inductees include composer Koji Kondo, Double Fine Productions leader Tim Schafer, co-creator of Mortal Kombat Ed Boon, and previous PlayStation production head Connie Booth.

The 29th DICE Awards will be held on February 16 at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas, coinciding with the DICE conference.