Naughty Dog has announced that head of technology Christian Gyrling is leaving the Kennel after an impressive 17-year career. Gyrling began work at the studio as a programmer on Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, eventually serving as studio vice president in 2020 and being appointed head of technology earlier this year.
The studio, variously known as the Kennel or the Dog House in keeping with the canine theming, thanked Gyrling for his nearly two-decade-long service, wishing him "the best of luck on where his path leads next". Travis Mcintosh will succeed him as Naughty Dog's new head of technology.
Gyrling has the kind of resume most developers would gladly trade a limb for, and we have no doubt he would have little trouble finding employment elsewhere, should he seek it. This is purely speculation on our part, but if we had to guess why a talented, valued, lifelong company employee would choose to leave a perch like Naughty Dog, it'd be for a passion project, probably their own.
That said, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing at the studio recently, either. Reports of contractors quietly being canned, higher-profile layoffs, and the apparent limbo in which this Last of Us multiplayer project currently exists don't align with the picture of a happy development family. Whatever the case, we wish Gyrling all the very best.
What do you think Gyrling does next? Is all well in the larger House of Drake? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 19
But really, what is going on at Sony right now behind the scenes? It seems like things are falling apart internally.
He already said everything was ok.
It's weird that every time someone leaves the situation is treated either like "sony what's happening, rip sony" or "look at this resume sony has to pay them billions so they don't quit". Dude has been working for the same studio half his life, let him rest.
naughty dog haven't released a new IP in over a decade
@B_Lindz Jim's push to live service and letting Bungie dictate everyone else's games is the answer. Its clearly not working out this new path but greed won't make them change course.
I wonder what Bungie has to say about this. Because we should totally ask them, right? Best of luck to him.
It’s funny how so many people here just want to see PlayStation and Sony downfall so bad. people can’t retire or just leave PlayStation after decades of working there without doom and gloom it starting to get silly now.
Seems to be monthly now of hearing another Naught Dog veteran leaving the company. I hope there isn't something bigger going on.
@gymratAmarillo it's because people think companies are only run by these people. Imagine if Miyamoto retires at Nintendo. They might as well stop making games then.
@Martijn87 I sure hope that when he finally retires is because he is healthy and wants to rest. Not sure if the doomers would survive to that kinds of news tho lol.
I would like ND to release just a new game and no remake please.
I guess Last of us part 2 in 2020 was their last new release. So June 2024 will be four years ago.
Brain: Wait why did you call it a kennel?? oh i see what you did there
Can't really blame him with the state Naughty Dog is in.
@B_Lindz He won't say this publicly, but its more than likely the issue of Sony making these studios do live service games when they don't want to do them.
This comment section is a Clown Show
ND has lost a LOOOOT of talent since TLoU 2 came out. That's no bueno. I get this eery feeling Ole Jimbo saw the writing on the wall with Sony and called it a day. Doesn't look so great for the immediate future.
Good for him and seeing as he isn't retiring he probably would like to work on something new that isn't related to tlou
@ChrisDeku i feel like its either comments from children or people that have never worked an actual full time job in their life. people come and go all the time from jobs. eventually some one wants to step away and do something else. its crazy how people don't understand this and assume something has to be wrong for some one to leave a job.
@gymratAmarillo @Jay767 agreed, same with when someone leaves Microsoft or even Nintendo. Something must be wrong. The truth is they are humans like everyone else and either try new jobs or just retire early to start a family or spend more time with the one they have. People need to realize, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo or all ranked as great places to work. So if one or two people leave it’s not a toxic job or work environment.
@gymratAmarillo "let him rest"
You're saying it like he's retiring, maybe he just doesn't want to spend the next 17 years only making tlou games 🤷
@B_Lindz seriously? This sort of thing has been happening since the beginning of companies.
Its just so now that we have 24 7 media, who report on every little thing.
10 years ago we would of never of been told who was leaving.
The funny thing is, we always hear about so many people leaving but you never hear how many they employed.
This person has been at naughty dog for nearly 2 decades, they are probably ready for another challenge.
We are all living in difficult times, money just isn't stretching the same.
I'm not sure what some people think they should do if departments are under performing or are bulked up and dont need that many anymore
Unfortunately it really is just business.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...