Veteran Naughty Dog Co-President Evan Wells to Retire After 25-Year Tenure

Evan Wells, co-president of renowned game developer Naughty Dog, has revealed his decision to retire by the end of 2023, marking the end of an era for the studio. Throughout his illustrious career at Naughty Dog, Wells played a pivotal role in shaping the studio's iconic franchises, including the beloved Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter series. Wells' ascent to co-president in 2005, alongside Stephen White, was a significant milestone. Following White's departure, Wells was joined by Christophe Balestra, and together they spearheaded the development of the critically acclaimed Uncharted and The Last of Us series. In a statement, Wells expressed his mixed emotions about retiring, stating, "Although this decision is bittersweet, I am satisfied with the time I've spent at the studio and the achievements we've shared over the past 25 years." Before joining Naughty Dog, Wells honed his skills at Sega, where he worked as a lead tester, programmer, and lead designer. His first project at Naughty Dog was the development of Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped, which laid the foundation for his future success. Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, praised Wells' contributions, saying, "While Evan will be deeply missed, I am confident that our revitalized Studio Leadership Team will enable us to flourish and explore new avenues." Druckmann also acknowledged Wells' enduring legacy, stating, "Evan's passion for the studio and his inspirational leadership will forever be ingrained in our DNA." Druckmann's own tenure as co-president began in 2020, following his promotion from Vice President.