Former Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells will receive the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame Award at the DICE 2026 summit. Neil Druckmann, the studio's current leader, is set to present the honor to his longtime partner. The event marks a notable reunion for the PlayStation veterans in Las Vegas next month.
The DICE 2026 summit, hosted by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, will feature a significant moment for gaming industry veterans on February 12 at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas. Evan Wells, who served as co-president of Naughty Dog from 2004 until his retirement in 2023, is slated to receive the organization's Hall of Fame Award, its highest accolade.
Wells played a pivotal role in Naughty Dog's evolution, contributing as a key creative on early hits like the Crash Bandicoot series and Jak and Daxter games. Under his leadership alongside Druckmann, the studio shifted toward ambitious narrative-driven titles, including the Uncharted series and The Last of Us. Druckmann has publicly commended Wells for his contributions, highlighting how his guidance helped elevate Naughty Dog to one of the most respected studios in the industry over decades.
This award places Wells in esteemed company. Previous Hall of Fame recipients include Ken Kutaragi of PlayStation in 2007, Nintendo's Satoru Iwata in 2015, and Xbox's Phil Spencer in 2022. The presentation by Druckmann underscores their long-standing partnership, offering a rare public reunion since Wells' departure.
The event comes amid ongoing developments at Naughty Dog, though the focus remains on recognizing Wells' legacy in shaping blockbuster gaming experiences.
