Following a string of hit releases, Naughty Dog has established itself as one of Sony’s crown jewels when it comes to the publisher's first-party studios. It’s fair to say that reputation has been earned, considering how franchises like Uncharted and The Last of Us have been integral to PlayStation’s success. While some of Naughty Dog’s franchises have continued to expand, though, the Jak and Daxter series hasn’t had a new entry in years.
Despite being beloved and arguably just as important to PlayStation's enduring success, the last brand-new Jak and Daxter game came out in 2009. However, that fact doesn't mean that the series is dead. Thanks to several complementing factors, the adventures of the iconic duo actually live on to this day.
Jak and Daxter’s Legacy
During the PS2 era, Naughty Dog made a name for itself via the Jak and Daxter series. Having helped to make the original PlayStation a household name with its Crash Bandicoot games, the series gave the studio a chance to further refine its platforming and action skills. Significantly, aspects like the series’ more mature narrative themes also laid the groundwork for Naughty Dog’s success with Uncharted and The Last of Us.
At the time of the series' heyday, though, Jak and Daxter were two of the PS2’s most celebrated mascots. Alongside the likes of Sly Cooper, Ratchet, and Clank, the group of heroes opened up gaming to a new generation of people. While the duo’s contemporaries have since received new games, that shouldn’t detract from Jak and Daxter’s own legacy. One of the reasons that the series lives on is the simple fact that its impact is still being felt within the gaming industry to this day.
Naughty Dog’s Jak 4
Even though it might look like Naughty Dog moved on from the series following Jak X’s release in 2005, it’s become clear recently that it still lives on within the studio itself too. In the aftermath of the spin-off racing game’s release, the studio went back and forth on the idea of making a new mainline installment. Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, the PSP game that was eventually developed by High Impact Games, actually started off life within Naughty Dog.
The studio’s interest in making Jak and Daxter 4 didn’t end there either. While contemplating what project to pursue after the release of the PS3 Uncharted games, Naughty Dog toyed with the idea again, to a significant extent. In 2014, the studio eventually shared concept art for the fourth entry in the series that never went into full production. Although what was shown had a more realistic style than the franchise’s cartoon origins, there's no doubt large sections of its fan base would have welcomed another adventure.
Because of these examples, there’s a sense that Naughty Dog still hasn’t fully moved on from the Jak and Daxter series. Despite the success that Uncharted and The Last of Us have brought it, the studio’s PS2 era remains an important and ever-present part of its identity. This is born out via comments from developers within Naughty Dog, who have cited the year the studio spent exploring Jak and Daxter 4 as a breath of fresh air.
Jak and Daxter Still Have Fans
Based on the critical and commercial success that the Jak and Daxter games achieved on the PS2 and PSP, it’s not too surprising that the series continues to live on within its fan base as well. Calls for a brand-new game in the series haven’t gone away ever since it went into hiatus in 2009. Elements like the enduring success of the Ratchet and Clank games have demonstrated to these fans that a cartoony action-centric series can still flourish within the modern gaming industry.
It’s easy to imagine these calls only growing louder as more time goes by. In some respects, Insomniac Games’ ability to juggle Ratchet and Clankwith its Marvel projects has helped to sustain those discussions. More significantly on this front, though, is the timeless nature of the Jak and Daxter games themselves. Thanks to the series’ HD remasters, and their prominence within PS Plus Premium’s lineup, new players are getting to know the duo all the time. Even without new entries, the series is technically still growing.
It appears as though Sony is aware of this phenomenon to some extent as well. Although there’s been no brand-new game in the series for it to draw money from in some time, the duo are still having a positive impact on its profit margins. Merchandise that features both characters, for example, frequently pops up on Sony’s Gear website. Most recently, Jak and Daxter were included in the first wave of Mini PlayStation Nendoroid figures alongside the likes of Kratos and Ellie.
Jak and Daxter’s Future
The Jak and Daxter series' legacy and influence have kept it alive in the minds of its creators and fans. Depending on how recent insider rumors pan out, though, the franchise might be about to receive a new lease of life from a physical perspective as well. That's because last month fans uncovered a LinkedIn profile that suggests a new PlayStation Studios Visual Arts team has been formed to collaborate with Naughty Dog on a beloved franchise.
Although no official source has confirmed the San Diego-based studio's existence yet, there's reason to believe that some of the rumors surrounding it are true. Sony has tried to create similar teams to work with Naughty Dog in the past, so it's not out of the realm of possibility to imagine it's trying again. A few years ago, for example, it was also reported by insiders that Bend Studio was approached to undertake a similar collaborative mission.
Fans should keep in mind that, as with all rumors, it's better to remain cautious until news is officially shared. Beyond the fact that Naughty Dog has several beloved franchises in its locker, the Jak and Daxter series has suffered setbacks at this stage in development before. The fact that so many fans have thought about the duo in reaction to the rumors, though, is extra evidence of their enduring survival.
