Uncharted 4's Focus Tester Got Dismissed Because of Sexism

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End director, Neil Druckmann, reveals how one of the game's testers was asked to leave because they expressed sexist opinions.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End has released to a critical acclaim and unprecedented sales, which probably makes director Neil Druckmann feel pretty accomplished. Despite the success of Uncharted 4 though, the game's development wasn't sailing smooth, with the recall of sexist focus testers who were upset about some creative decisions Naughty Dog has made with this game.

Uncharted 4's ending must be discussed in order to reveal what Druckmann had to say about these sexist focus testers. Be cautious though, as this article will contain spoilers.

Druckmann said:
    "When I'm introducing and describing a new character to our lead character concept artist,     she would constantly ask, "What if it was a girl?" And I would be like, "Oh, that didn't     even come to my mind. Let me think though, does that affect or change anything? No? Okay,     that's different, let's do it!"

A creative decision making of this kind resulted in a change of characters. Specifically, some characters that were supposed to be males, were changed to females during the development of the game. For example, during a part of the game where Nathan and his brother Sam Drake break in a mansion, the old lady they encounter there used to be an old man.

Another character who was gender-swapped before the game was finished was Nathan and Elena's son, who used to be their daughter.

Some focus testers were upset from these decisions, as they were from a scene in the game where Nadine manages to beat both Nathan and Sam Drake. Even though Nathan is a capable fighter, it is worth mentioning that Nadine is in a class of her own, which is why it makes sense for her to be able to beat both Nathan and Sam Drake in hand-to-hand combat.

Apparently, one of the focus testers was especially upset due to the fact the game has strong female characters, this went on till Naughty Dog were forced to ask him to leave. Naughty Dog quoted this focus tester, he said the following thing: "Not you too Naughty Dog! Damn you! I'm done with Uncharted if you ever make another one, with his daughter in the main role this time. This stinks!"

Although, it is unfortunate that some of Uncharted 4's focus testers were sexist, it appears that, in general, people have no problem whatsoever with Naughty Dog's decisions. Characters experience a certain amount of tweaking during the creative process, and Naughty Dog is allowed to make whatever it wants with the game. Fans are overall happy that Naughty Dog didn't allow their vision to be altered by some sexist focus testers.