Uncharted 4’s game director leaves Naughty Dog for League of Legends’ Riot Games

Uncharted 4 could be an important PlayStation exclusive, just as its predecessors were. But in a troubling sign, the game’s director has left Naughty Dog mid-development.

“I have in fact made the decision to leave Naughty Dog,” former game director Justin Richmond said to IGN. “I love the company and the people and know that they will continue to create awesome games going forward. On a happier note, after careful consideration and exploration, I have joined Riot Games. There is some really innovative stuff going on here that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

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The Uncharted series is composed of three successful third-person action-adventure games. They feature the Indiana Jones-channeling star Nathan Drake, who became one of Sony’s most important mascots during the last console generation.

Richmond was the game director for Uncharted 3, and he oversaw the innovative multiplayer portion of Uncharted 2. His departure comes only weeks after the Uncharted series’ creative director and writer Amy Hennig made headlines by suddenly leaving Naughty Dog.

Richmond is now working for Riot Games, whose free-to-play PC game League of Legends is immensely popular — and lucrative — around the world thanks to its popularity as a competitive e-sport.