When Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra replaced founders Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin as the co-presidents of Naughty Dog, many commentated that they had big shoes to fill – but they still managed to turn the Californian studio into one of the greatest in the industry today. It's with sadness, then, that we can reveal that Christophe Balestra will be leaving the developer on 3rd April.
"It's very challenging to come to the realisation that it's time to step away from a career to pursue fulfilling personal ambitions and projects," he wrote on the company's website. "I am doing it now out of utmost respect for the team and their unwavering dedication to Naughty Dog and our projects. The time has come for me to now spend more time with my family and create a void to see what I can fill it with."
Judging by the above quote, it doesn't appear that Christophe has any firm plans in place – it sounds like he's going to enjoy a well-earned break and see where his fancy takes him. That's obviously a nice position to be in, but given his achievements over the past 15 years or so, we reckon that he's earned the downtime and the change of scenery.
Evan Wells will continue to lead the company as sole president moving forward, and here's what Balestra had to tease about the future: "I know what's in store and, with Evan leading the best team on the planet as president, I know that Naughty Dog will continue to blow you away." Bring on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and The Last of Us: Part II – we can't wait.
[source naughtydog.com]
Comments 11
All got to move on at some point, ideally when you either have no more young or fresh folk to mentor (When the ones you were mentoring can mentor any newcomers) or when you feel your ideas have run their course. One usually happens that leads to the other, but when both are gone, knowing when to go is best.
At that point I can say you've given all you can. No one can do one thing forever, and in game design its highly not recommended.
I also greatly respect his plans. No goal, see what he fancies (many game developers do that actually, you kind of lock yourself into one thing), and spend time with family. Last time I saw mine was months ago due to having to live away. Its tough.
I wish him the best as well, because as I said, he felt he had done his best projects and given all he could to the incoming teams, and that's a good time to find your place.
I have never heard of any of the names mentioned in the article. Not that I have played many of their games though. I have Last of Us that I kinda liked it, except the ending. I don't now if they developed the Uncharted game on Vita, I stopped while playing to look at the scenery, very beautiful game but the shooting was somewhat boring.
Best of luck to the guy. Did a great job at Naughty Dog.
With how good ND have been for years, especially since he joined in 2002, I'm sure he can retire happy without regret.
Gonna miss reading his name in the credits. Seriously, dude's name sounds cool.
He'll be back in the industry in some capacity within 3 years; you can check out any time you like.....
@Boerewors but you can never leaavveeee solooooo
@SuperSilverback
Whaha! Laughed twice actually, cause your username is wrong in so many ways 😃
@Boerewors 😱 what wrong with it!
@SuperSilverback A Silverback is kind of a racial slur where I live I myself for instance am colored and a pretty big guy, so friends call me Silverback lots of times... just not my white friends
So when I saw your pic, looking all manly and South African with the beard and what not, it made me laugh way harder than I should because I could picture you going around town with that nickname.
Just to make sure: I'm not at all offended obviously, no one should be, but I just have a vivid imagination and I pictured a scenario where Harambe's unfortunate death could actually save a white man's life in some neighborhoods
@Boerewors Oh jesus!! Its just my name cause my brothers use to call me it when i was younger. I was pretty big back then. I added super cause i love DBZ. Im irish so i never knew that, sorry!
@SuperSilverback
Haha, don't be mate! I don't see racism in words, I see it in intentions... but the nickname was so relatable that I couldn't help but laugh
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