Overview
Few studios have reinvented themselves as successfully as Naughty Dog. From 16-bit obscurity through PlayStation mascot platformers to cinematic narrative experiences, they’ve defined each PlayStation generation. Crash, Jak, Drake, Joel—each era brought new characters and new technical achievements.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1984 (as JAM Software).
- Location: Santa Monica, California.
- Owner: Sony (acquired 2001).
- Known for: Crash, Uncharted, Last of Us.
Era evolution
| Period |
Franchise |
| PS1 |
Crash Bandicoot |
| PS2 |
Jak and Daxter |
| PS3/4 |
Uncharted |
| PS3/4 |
The Last of Us |
Crash Bandicoot era
| Title |
Year |
| Crash Bandicoot |
1996 |
| Cortex Strikes Back |
1997 |
| Warped |
1998 |
| Crash Team Racing |
1999 |
Jak and Daxter era
| Title |
Year |
| Jak and Daxter |
2001 |
| Jak II |
2003 |
| Jak 3 |
2004 |
Uncharted era
| Title |
Year |
| Drake’s Fortune |
2007 |
| Among Thieves |
2009 |
| Drake’s Deception |
2011 |
| A Thief’s End |
2016 |
The Last of Us
| Title |
Year |
Achievement |
| The Last of Us |
2013 |
Narrative pinnacle |
| Part II |
2020 |
Technical/narrative |
Technical excellence
| Achievement |
Game |
| PS1 pushing |
Crash Bandicoot |
| Seamless loading |
Jak and Daxter |
| Cinematic action |
Uncharted 2 |
| Performance capture |
Last of Us |
See also