Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- A new studio led by an ex-Naughty Dog veteran, Vinit Agarwal, is established in Japan with the goal of creating a cinematic multiplayer experience.
- Agarwal plans to utilize his expertise gained from working on games like Uncharted 4: A Thiefs End, The Last of Us Part II, and more to deliver high-quality worldbuilding, narrative, and graphics in his upcoming game.
- The studio aims to integrate elements of Japanese game development philosophy, as evidenced by Agarwals discussions with Hidetaka Miyazaki.
- The new studio shares a commitment to quality with Naughty Dog, particularly its narrative leader and creative director, Joe Pettinati, who remains based in the U.S.
New Studio Led by Ex-Naughty Dog Veteran Aims to Craft Cinematic Multiplayer Experience in Japan
Vinit Agarwal departed Naughty Dog in early 2025 to establish his own studio in Japan. There, he plans to develop a multiplayer game with a cinematic flair, drawing directly from his experiences at Naughty Dog. Agarwal identified a significant opportunity for multiplayer titles that capture the action-packed cinematic quality for which Naughty Dog is renowned. His ambition is to apply the expertise gained from his work on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, The Last of Us Part II, and the unreleased The Last of Us Online. This includes integrating the high production values from his time as a producer for Sony’s first-party titles, where worldbuilding, narrative, and graphics quality are equally prioritized—a philosophy shared by Naughty Dog’s narrative leader and creative director, Joe Pettinati, who remains based in the U.S. Inspired by the consistent quality of Japanese game development, Agarwal moved to Japan to immerse himself in its creative environment. He has had discussions with Hidetaka Miyazaki, recalling his admiration for auteur works, and intends to weave elements of this philosophy into his upcoming game.
In Case You Missed It
For all you space adventure enthusiasts out there, Ahmed Hassan over at Players for Life has dug up some intriguing rumors about the highly anticipated *Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet* (July 11, 2025), with speculation swirling around a potential release window by the end of 2026, promising an open-world experience with innovative combat and negotiation mechanics. Dive into the details at Window of Release for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet May Have Been Revealed and see if this cosmic journey might be your next gaming obsession! If you’re a fan of the legendary worlds created by Naughty Dog, particularly the rich narratives of *The Last of Us* and the adventurous tales of *Uncharted*, then you won’t want to miss Carlos Mendoza’s insightful piece published on July 10th. Vinit Agarwal, a key figure in some of Naughty Dog’s most celebrated titles, is stepping into new territory with exciting plans for multiplayer games from a fresh studio based in Japan. Dive deeper into what this could mean for the gaming community by checking out *Fans of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Keep a Very Close Eye on This New Studio*.