Evan Wells, the former visionary leader of Naughty Dog, has been named the latest inductee into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) Hall of Fame. The prestigious honor will be officially bestowed upon him during the 29th annual D.I.C.E. Awards, scheduled for February 12.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Wells has been a foundational figure in the gaming industry. He began his professional journey as a designer on ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron. Following his early success, he transitioned to Crystal Dynamics, where he served as a programmer on the original Gex and later took the lead designer role for Gex: Enter the Gecko.
In 1998, Wells joined the ranks of Naughty Dog, contributing his talents as a lead designer and director to several cornerstone titles, including Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Crash Team Racing, and the Jak and Daxter trilogy. His leadership trajectory continued in 2004 when he was appointed co-president, a role in which he spearheaded the studio’s transition into the cinematic storytelling era with the Uncharted and The Last of Us franchises.
By 2017, Wells assumed the role of sole president, further cementing Naughty Dog’s reputation for excellence. His influence extended beyond software development, as he served as an executive producer for high-profile multimedia adaptations, including the 2022 Uncharted feature film and the critically acclaimed The Last of Us television series on HBO.
In 2020, Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of The Last of Us, joined Wells as co-president. This collaborative leadership continued until Wells officially announced his retirement from the studio in 2023.
“Naughty Dog’s ability to create such profound gaming experiences and leave an indelible mark on the industry is a testament to Evan’s steadfast leadership and the immense trust he placed in the team,” said Neil Druckmann, current Studio Head and Head of Creative at Naughty Dog. “I am incredibly honored to present him with this well-deserved recognition on behalf of everyone who has worked alongside him.”
Wells joins an elite circle of previous AIAS Hall of Fame inductees, including industry luminaries such as Ted Price (2025), Koji Kondo (2024), Tim Schafer (2022), Hideo Kojima (2016), and Todd Howard (2017). The upcoming D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony will be hosted at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas.
