‘We need mascot characters, like Kratos’ on Fighting to Save Uncharted That Everyone Assumed Would Fail

In the high-stakes market that is video game development, few stories are as compelling as the birth of a franchise. But what happens when that birth is fraught with doubt, skepticism, and the looming specter of failure? Enter Amy Hennig, the visionary behind the Uncharted series, who found herself in exactly that position during the early days of Nathan Drake’s adventures.

As we look back on the franchise that redefined action-adventure gaming, it’s hard to imagine a time when Uncharted wasn’t a household name. Yet, as Hennig once revealed in a candid interview, the road to success was anything but smooth.

The Risk of Uncharted Waters at the Time

In a revealing interview with Polygon, Amy Hennig shed light on the tumultuous early days of Uncharted‘s development. The challenges she faced weren’t just technical or creative—they were existential. As she puts it:

A lot of folks didn’t understand what we were doing with Uncharted at the time. People asked, ‘Why are we supposed to care about a guy in a T-shirt and jeans? We need mascot characters, like Kratos.’

The comparison to God of War‘s iconic protagonist is telling. In an industry often driven by larger-than-life characters and fantastical settings, Uncharted‘s more grounded approach was seen as a risk.

But Hennig? She stood her ground:

And I just had to repeat: ‘You’re going to have to trust me. You’re going to have to trust me. You’re going to have to trust me.’

This mantra of self-belief, however, wasn’t without its internal struggles. As Hennig candidly admits:

Meanwhile, inside you’re thinking, ‘I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.’

It’s a sentiment that many creatives can relate to—the constant battle between outward confidence and inner doubt. But it’s this very tension that often leads to groundbreaking work.

From Doubt to Dynasty: The $2 Billion Gamble

The story of Uncharted‘s development is a testament to the power of perseverance and vision. As Hennig reflects:

How do you hang on to that inner voice that is giving you the confidence to just kind of go with your gut, when everything around you is saying: ‘Don’t trust your gut. Don’t trust your gut. We don’t know if we trust your gut’?

It’s a question that plagues many in the creative industry, but one that Hennig and her team at Naughty Dog managed to navigate successfully. The result? A franchise that would go on to redefine action-adventure gaming and become a cornerstone of PlayStation’s exclusive lineup.

And look, sometimes we go with our gut, and it’s a massive failure. And other times it ends up being a $2 billion franchise.

It’s a reminder that even the most successful franchises often start as risky gambles, driven by nothing more than a creator’s vision and gut instinct. But as we all know, despite the success of the Uncharted series, Hennig’s tenure at the studio ended in controversy in 2014, with reports of creative differences and a contentious work environment.

Since then, Hennig has gone on to work on a variety of projects, including a new Star Wars game at Visceral Games (which was ultimately canceled) and the upcoming and highly anticipated Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra at her new home, Skydance New Media. But her legacy with the Uncharted series remains, and her insights into the challenges of game development continue to resonate with developers and fans alike.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s clear that the lessons learned from the development of Uncharted will continue to shape the way we think about game design, storytelling, and the creative process. And for that, we have masterminds like Amy Hennig to thank.

What do you think about Amy Hennig’s insights into the development of Uncharted? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation, fighting for a vision that others doubted? Let us know in the comments below!