Former God of War Ragnarok Art Director Raf Grassetti has joined Naughty Dog following the closure of Netflix’s AAA game studio.
Netflix’s ambitious entry into AAA game development has come to an abrupt halt. In October 2024, reports revealed that the streaming giant had shut down its Southern California game studio, also known as Team Blue, despite recruiting top industry talent.
Among the high-profile hires were Overwatch executive producer Chacko Sonny, Halo veteran Joseph Staten, and God of War Ragnarok Art Director Raf Grassetti. The closure left many wondering where these industry heavyweights would head next.
Ex-God of War Director Joins Naughty Dog
Fast forward to December 2024, and one of those questions has been answered. Raf Grassetti, who brought Kratos’ world to life with stunning artistry, has announced his next move: joining Naughty Dog.
Grassetti shared the news on his personal X (Twitter) account with a post featuring Naughty Dog’s iconic paw logo and the caption, “New chapter [with a Pawprints emoji].”
Grassetti’s move to Naughty Dog couldn’t come at a more exciting time. Studio co-president Neil Druckmann recently confirmed that Naughty Dog is actively working on multiple projects, including a new chapter in The Last of Us franchise and an entirely new IP.
Last month, Neil Druckmann reportedly shared that his next major game has been in development since at least 2020. While Sony has granted him full creative control over the project, the company will ultimately decide when it will be officially revealed to the public.
It’s not yet confirmed which project Grassetti will lend his artistic talents to. What do you think about this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
