Final week, Sony revealed a seemingly innocuous little bit of fluff, touting its long-term “artistic leisure imaginative and prescient” in broad phrases, together with some interviews of key workers. Neil Druckmann, studio head of Sony’s Naughty Canine, was a type of — and his interview made waves within the sport world. In line with the interview, Druckmann mentioned AI may “create nuanced dialogues and characters” and likewise mentioned that the brand new sport Naughty Canine was creating (however hasn’t formally introduced) “may redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.” Some mighty sturdy and probably controversial statements from the pinnacle of a studio beloved for its The Final of Us and Uncharted franchises.
Downside is, Druckmann was wildly misquoted by his personal employers. A number of days after Sony revealed its interview, Druckmann took to X and mentioned “this isn’t fairly what I mentioned.” He then went full Ellie-in-revenge-mode on Sony, posting a bit of the unique interview transcript. (He was truly fairly well mannered if we’re being trustworthy — even the highly effective can solely chew the hand that feeds so exhausting.) Regardless, issues right here don’t add up.
In modifying my rambling solutions in my current interview with SONY, a few of my phrases, context, and intent had been sadly misplaced. Nicely, this is the total lengthy rambling reply for the ultimate query about our future sport… pic.twitter.com/tVuxX3LYJF
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) Might 25, 2024
Gaming reporter Stephen Totilo shared his personal comparability of what Druckmann mentioned and what Sony revealed, bolding the phrases in Sony’s reply that Druckmann by no means mentioned — and people phrases had been nearly all of the quote. Sony principally put phrases in his mouth and revealed them, kicking off a basic gamer freakout.
To be honest, if I used to be Druckmann, I might be fairly pissed too. Take a look at this butchery!
In the event you’re curious (about what he mentioned; and the way I spend a Friday evening when my spouse and youngsters are away), this is a comparability of the unique reply and the edited one.
Many modifications
No shock, this was reduce: “Not as a result of video games should be films, or they should be TV reveals” pic.twitter.com/FkxNkqQPY2
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) Might 25, 2024
Now, 5 days later, Sony has eliminated the interview from its web site completely. Nevertheless, they did not simply delete the web page — they left it up with an apology to Neil and the Naughty Canine workforce “for any unfavorable influence this interview may need induced.”
My favourite bit is well this:
In re-reviewing our current interview with Naughty Canine’s Neil Druckmann, we have now discovered a number of vital errors and inaccuracies that do not signify his perspective and values (together with subjects similar to animation, writing, expertise, AI, and future initiatives).Sony
So all the pieces he mentioned about animation, writing, expertise, AI and future initiatives had errors. Hey, at the least they nailed his identify and title.
For the morbidly curious, you may nonetheless learn the “interview” on archive.org.