Amy Hennig GDC 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award to be Issued

2019 marks the 19th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, and this year it’s honoring iconic writer and director Amy Hennig with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Perhaps most known for her pivotal role as Creative Director and Writer for the Uncharted series, Amy Hennig is a legend in the industry who everyone is always eager to hear insights from. Hennig’s impact on the games spans over three decades, tracing all the way back to the Atari 7800.

With this Lifetime Achievement Award, Hennig will join the ranks of previous years’ recipients, which include influential industry members like Tim Schafer, Tim Sweeney, Shigeru Miyamoto, Warren Spector, John Carmack, Hironobu Sakaguchi, Hideo Kojima, Sid Meier, Ken Kutaragi, Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk, and Peter Molyneux.

General manager of the Game Developers Conference, Katie Stern, had this to say about Hennig being honored:

Amy Hennig is a powerful figure in the game world; her work exemplifies what good game narrative can be, with pathos, humor, suspense and energy. She is truly one of the most influential developers in the games industry. These past accomplishments are just milestones in a career that we’ll be following for years to come, but for one night at the GDCAs, we’ll reflect on the hard work and artistry that makes game developers like Amy the heart of the industry.

Having helped craft one of the most popular PlayStation franchises of all time, on top of previous work on series such as Soul Reaver / Legacy of Kain, Hennig’s influence is undeniable.

Hennig was selected for this award by the Game Developers Choice Special Awards Jury, which includes notable game industry leaders such as Chris Charla (ID@Xbox), Laine Nooney (New York University), Brian Reynolds (Big Huge Games), Brandon Sheffield (Necrosoft Games), and Mare Sheppard (Metanet Software).

[Source: GDC]

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What do You Want From an Uncharted 5?

Uncharted 5 is a long time off—if it ever happens—but we can't see Naughty Dog abandoning this popular universe quite yet. With that in mind, we asked the PSLS staff what they wanted to see from a potential Uncharted 5, if and when the next Uncharted game happens.
Aidan Simonds

I feel as though another Uncharted is inevitable, but I personally see Naughty Dog taking a step away from the franchise for a bit. The last few years they have been exclusively focused on Uncharted and The Last of Us, and I would like to see them flex their muscles on a brand-new IP. But since the question is about Uncharted, my belief is that Lost Legacy was a bit of a test-run for the future of the franchise. Uncharted as a franchise won't be going away any time soon. It may not be in Naughty Dog's hands since Uncharted 4 was such a definitive ending, but we will see it in some form or another.

Originally I would have said Uncharted is Nathan Drake's story. Now that Lost Legacy has come out, however, I think what Naughty Dog should do is make each game a stand-alone story featuring the new heists of a different character. Whether it be Cassie, or maybe even going to the early days of Sully, there's a world of characters to explore. Lost Legacy also had the perfect length for this type of story. For me, Uncharted 4 was a case of a game that was too long and had too much bloat. While everyone loves a good world-spanning adventure, sometimes a more focused story that's a little smaller in scope is the way to go.
Keri Honea

As much as I love Uncharted, I'm ready for it to rest. Or, more accurately, I'm ready for Drake to take a rest. If Uncharted continues, which it most likely will, then I'd prefer it to shift to other characters.
Anthony Severino

I want a prequel with Sir Francis Drake. Totally agree with Keri that I've had enough of Nathan Drake and his unrealistic narrow escapes from death. It's time for another character, a different setting, or else let's put the franchise to rest and move onto something new.
Janet Garcia

All I want from Uncharted 5 is the time back that I wasted playing Uncharted 1-3.
Cameron Teague

I am going to completely ignore Janet's post. If the team at Naughty Dog feels they have a great idea to continue the series then I will support them fully. I like the idea of maybe Drake's kid in a new adventure with Daddy Drake showing her the way.
Chandler Wood

What I'd love to see from Uncharted 5 is a God of War-styled refresh that changes the game we think we know. Uncharted 4 did a great job already moving in that direction, eschewing the supernatural elements for a story that was far more personal for Nathan Drake. Uncharted 5 could present an out-of-the-game Drake forced to get back into it once more for the sake of his daughter. Gameplay could switch between the two. The world could be more open like God of War's. There's a lot of potential here if they aren't rehashing the same old game again and again.

Alternatively, it's hard to believe that Drake only went on four adventures in his life (five if we count Golden Abyss). Let's start exploring some of those old adventures that made the ol' half-tuck who he is today.
Jenni Lada

I feel like the Uncharted: The Lost Legacy standalone expansion was a test. Could an Uncharted game do well without Nathan Drake? Would the series' supporting characters be strong enough to carry their own game? Might people be willing to accept female leads? Considering it ended up being critically acclaimed and was said to have sold over 590,000 in its first week at retail, according to VGChartz's information for the week ending August 26 2017, I would like to hope it passed. (Editor's Note: VGChartz is notoriously unreliable, based on estimates and other hazy metrics).

So, what would this mean for the future? Well, in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, we are introduced to Cassie Drake, the daughter of Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher. My belief is that a new Uncharted will appear, and she will be the star. The final installment in Nate's storyline went out of its way to introduce Cassie and establish that she shares her parents' passion for treasure hunting. The standalone expansion starred Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross, capable women who admirably handled themselves. I think Uncharted 6 will be Cassie's story, and we will see her carry on her parents' legacy on the PlayStation 5.
Lucas White

Uncharted 5 is inevitable, but if and when it does happen, I think I’d like a totally fresh start. A new “universe,” if you will. Sure, the kid was introduced at the end of the fourth game, but I think it would be a little too easy to just make her the star of the next one, and end up with another several hours with the Drake crew.

What about a totally fresh start, with a new character, a new perspective, that has absolutely nothing to do with Nathan Drake? How about exploring a new visual style or tone? Do we need another loud, wisecracking American to chase exotic artifacts?

What if we flipped the script, and played as someone who was trying to stop jerks like Drake from stealing artifacts, destroying ruins and shooting hundreds of people? Or what if we go way back in time, before the relics and ancient architecture were lost?

Uncharted is equipped with a solid enough foundation that whatever comes next could retain its identity, regardless of what’s placed on top of it. Let’s explore what that means, instead of leaning on what already worked for a decade and has ostensibly concluded.
Michael Briers

Uncharted is such a powerhouse for SIE that I can't imagine Naughty Dog's franchise will lay dormant for very long. So by the time The Last of Us Part II has come and gone, and Naughty Dog (potentially) puts out the feelers for a new IP, I'd like to see Uncharted 5 carry on the Drake legacy, even if it means shifting the focus over to young Cassie Drake as was teased during A Thief's End.
Zarmena Khan

Uncharted needs a rest. Naughty Dog has a lot of talent and I'd like to see something new and fresh from them. Should they choose to continue the series (and I believe the devs were also gauging interest in this via The Lost Legacy), they should continue with a different character and retire Drake. There's always appetite for swashbuckling in exotic locations in video games but we're seeing a lot of similar games now so to maintain an edge, Naughty Dog will not only need to introduce new characters but also think about how they can switch things up.

I don't see a need for a numbered entry. They don't even need to retain the Uncharted title. A spiritual successor with a different series' name will also work and can help to shake off all the expectations associated with "Uncharted," giving devs room to experiment freely with ideas. We see this a lot in the gaming community. If the devs try to make significant changes, people will say "but this isn't insert-series-name" so go for something new.