Uncharted Game Designer Quits Naughty Dog

Richard Lemarchand was Lead Designer or Co-Lead Designer on all three of Naughty Dog’s Uncharted games. He had been with the developers for eight very successful years. Now he’s moving on to pastures new.

Lemarchand has quit the Uncharted creators to go into a teaching role at the University of Southern California. He’ll be at the School of Cinematic Arts, teaching in the Interactive Media Division. Former attendees of that school include Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago so perhaps Richard will have a hand in shaping the greatest minds of the next generation of games designers.

He will also be creating a number of experimental games as part of a research project for the school.

It’s always sad to see someone with a fantastic legacy for exceptional games moving on but the silver lining to this particular cloud is that Lemarchand will now have the opportunity to pass on some of his knowledge in one of the most fertile environments for new game designers.

Source: Gamasutra

12 Comments

  1. Is that even legal? Are you allowed to quit Naughty Dog? Isn’t there a law against that?

  2. Had the pleasure of meeting him both at Eurogamer Expo and GameCity Nottingham and have to say he’s one of the most humble game developers.

    Its rather sad to see him leave but I wish him the best and any person who gets the pleasure of working with him in his new ventures!

    • Same here, at EGX. Lovely chap.

      • Yeah he’s a really nice guy, and half of the reason I have a Vita!

  3. He will be missed :(

  4. As long as he dont take the dog with him.

  5. Aw man, he will be missed.
    All the best to Richard and his teaching to the world of Games!

  6. Good for him. Passing on that knowledge will be valuable for future generations (of games and gamers).

    • Couldn’t agree more and something I’d love to see emulated across the industry. We’ll have generation after generation of incredible designers, etc.

  7. Met him at EGX, he is a good guy and an engaging speaker.
    Can see why he may have taken this move though, its a great job teaching young minds how to make the next Uncharted and his legacy with Uncharted would be hard to top. Out at the top, who wouldn’t want to do that

  8. No!

    :( I liked Richard.

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