After 25 years at Naughty Dog, Co-President Evan Wells has announced his retirement in a blog post. “This is something that I’ve been discussing with Naughty Dog’s Studio Leadership Team for well over a year, and with Neil for even longer than that,” said Wells. “The decision brings with it overwhelming and conflicting emotions, but I’ve come to realize that I’m content with my time at the studio and all that we’ve accomplished together over the last 25 years. I couldn’t be more confident in Neil’s ability to carry on running the studio. It’s the right time for me to provide the opportunity for him and the others on the Studio Leadership Team to steer the studio into a successful future.”
Wells’s retirement will take effect at the end of the year, but he will remain a part of the Studio Leadership Team until then. To address today’s announcement, Co-President Neil Druckmann made a separate post to share updates on the company’s leadership team. Druckmann will assume the responsibilities of Head of Creative while continuing his role as Co-President of the studio alongside Wells. Alison Mori is being promoted to Studio Manager and Head of Operations, while Arne Meyer is taking on the title of Head of Culture and Communications. Christian Gyrling has been named Head of Technology.
Joining the Studio Leadership Team will be Erick Pangilinan and Jeremy Yates, as Co-Heads of the Art Departments. Anthony Newman is moving into a new role as Head of Production and Design.
The announcement comes after a successful year for Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us property, which enjoyed great success as an HBO series.
