The Last of Us co-creator has been dropped from the HBO series and revived an old controversy.

He barely debuted, but the series Last of us from HBO and HBO Max has already become a worldwide hit. However, not everything is so rosy. Bruce Straleyco-writer and co-director of the original PlayStation game, along with Neil Druckmann, was not involved in this adaptation, which revived an old dispute about trade unions and workers’ rights in the video game industry.

In a recent interview with Los Angeles Times By the series premiere, Straley’s case had not gone unnoticed. The fact is that, although Druckmann is usually recognized as the main ideologist Last of ushis partner played a key role in the success of the PS3 game released in 2013. In spite of this, his name does not appear in the opening credits of the series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey..

In the introduction, Neil Druckmann is credited as the executive producer and creator of the adaptation, along with Craig Mazin. However, the only link to the game says: Based on the PlayStation Studios video game created by Naughty Dog and written by Neil Druckmann.. Nothing about Bruce Straley.

But the disappointment of the latter will be caused not only by the lack of public recognition, but also economic. Although in this case its absence in the television version Last of us It wouldn’t be a decision by HBO or Neil Druckmann, but by their relationship with Sony and Naughty Dog. it would not be in the best conditions after leaving the studio.

series Last of us does not acknowledge the contribution of one of the creators of the video game

Bruce Straley left Naughty Dog in 2017 after 18 years with the company. Problematic development Uncharted 4 was one of the reasons he decided to leave, assuring were very worn for the hard work put into completing the game in just two years. Let’s not forget that this title was led by Amy Hennig, who left the company in 2014.

Many will consider that the absence of a mention of Bruce Straley in the series Last of us this is a minor issue. However, the creative has used the occasion to reignite the intellectual property debate in the video game industry and how creators often have no control over their stories, characters, or game mechanics.

“The one who was part of the creation of that world and those characters don’t get credit or pennies for the work you put into it, is an argument in favor of unionization. Maybe we need trade unions in the video game industry to be able to protect creators,” he said.

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When developing the original game Last of usBruce Straley’s main task was to implement the gameplay. And while Neil Druckmann was writing the script, the two worked together on both the setting for the story and the characters that play the main roles in it. However, today, when HBO and HBO Max series are on everyone’s lips, laurels go to Druckmann and Mazin.