Uncharted Lead Designer Leaves Naughty Dog

Richard Lemarchand, best known in his role as lead designer of the Uncharted series, has left the Naughty Dog studio. The developer is pursuing a career in teaching - he's to join the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.

The university has already bred a couple of contemporary industry stars, in Kelle Santiago and Jenova Chen of Thatgamecompany fame. The pair went on to work on the recently released Journey. Lemarchand said he was "excited and happy" to be taking this next step in his career.

As well as his duties at the school, he will also be spending time working on a series of experimental games as part of a research project. "In other words, I'll be surrounded by awesome people, talking craft and philosophy, and building strange new things," he said.

"I've always been a very hands-on game designer. And I'm a big believer that no matter what level you're working at on a project, it's a very great thing to be able to stay connected to the practical processes of building out a game."

Speaking to Gamasutra, Lemarchand revealed his reasons for leaving Naughty Dog. "I think the simplest answer is that it seems like a natural transition point.

"I was involved with the development of the Uncharted series not quite from the beginning, but almost... and even though the Uncharted series isn't intended to be viewed as a trilogy, maybe there's something about the number three that felt... there is a certain amount of completeness for me."

We wish Richard all the best in his new adventure.

Source: Gamasutra