Amy Hennig
Amy Hennig
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Overview

Amy Hennig, born on August 19, 1964, is a prominent American video game writer and director whose career has significantly shaped the narrative landscape of the industry. From her early days working on 8-bit titles to her groundbreaking work on the Legacy of Kain and Uncharted franchises, Hennig's contributions have earned her widespread acclaim and solidified her reputation as a master storyteller in the interactive medium. This timeline highlights key moments and periods in her illustrious career.
Main Milestones
Birth and Early Life
August 19, 1964
Amy Hennig is born in the United States. Details on her upbringing are relatively sparse, but her early exposure to storytelling and technology undoubtedly played a role in shaping her future career path. Information suggests an early interest in science fiction and fantasy, themes prevalent in much of her later work.
Early Days at Atari and Electronic Arts
Late 1980s - Early 1990s
Hennig begins her career in the video game industry, working at Atari on 8-bit games. She then moves to Electronic Arts, where she worked on titles such as 'Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City' and 'Bard's Tale IV'. These early experiences provided her with a foundational understanding of game development processes and design principles, laying the groundwork for her future roles in narrative design.
Joining Crystal Dynamics
1996
Amy Hennig joins Crystal Dynamics and begins work on the Legacy of Kain series. This marks a significant turning point in her career as she takes on a larger role in shaping the narrative direction of a major franchise. Her unique vision would soon make waves across the industry.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
1996 - 1999
Hennig serves as writer, director, and designer for 'Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver'. This game, widely praised for its complex narrative, gothic atmosphere, and sophisticated themes of destiny and free will, is considered a landmark title in the action-adventure genre and cements Hennig's reputation as a master storyteller. Its success demonstrated her ability to craft compelling narratives within the interactive medium.
Joining Naughty Dog
2003
Hennig joins Naughty Dog, a studio renowned for its character-driven storytelling and cinematic presentation. This move sets the stage for her most commercially and critically successful period in the industry.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
2007 - 2011
As writer and creative director, Hennig leads the development of the first three 'Uncharted' games: 'Drake's Fortune', 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves', and 'Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception'. These games are celebrated for their engaging characters, thrilling action set pieces, and cinematic storytelling, redefining the action-adventure genre and establishing Naughty Dog as a leading force in the industry. The 'Uncharted' series became a defining cultural and gaming phenomenon.
Departure from Naughty Dog
March 2014
Hennig departs from Naughty Dog, reportedly due to creative differences during the development of 'Uncharted 4: A Thief's End'. This departure shakes the industry and prompts widespread discussion about the role of creative leadership in game development.
Visceral Games and 'Project Ragtag'
2014 - 2017
Hennig joins Visceral Games, a division of Electronic Arts, to work on a new 'Star Wars' game, codenamed 'Project Ragtag'. This project, envisioned as a story-driven action-adventure game, generates considerable excitement among fans. However, the project is eventually cancelled, and Visceral Games is shut down by EA, further highlighting the challenges of AAA game development and the importance of creative freedom.
Joining Skydance New Media
2019
Hennig establishes Skydance New Media, a division of Skydance Media, with the goal of creating story-driven interactive experiences. This venture gives her greater control over the creative process and allows her to explore new avenues in interactive storytelling.
Skydance New Media Projects
2022-Present
Skydance New Media announces various projects including a Marvel ensemble game featuring Captain America and Black Panther set during World War II and a collaboration with Lucasfilm Games on a Star Wars game named 'Star Wars: Outlaws' to be developed by Massive Entertainment. Hennig continues to lead and shape these new interactive narrative experiences.