Veteran designer leaves Naughty Dog for USC’s School of Cinematic Arts

Richard Lemarchand, who has remained with Naughty Dog for eight years, announced that he is "excited and happy" to accept an invitation to the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.

Lemarchand will be teaching at the university's Interactive Media Division, which the developer praises for having a "forward-looking" and "practical" approach to game design. The program has trained Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, members of Thatgamecompany, among others. Lemarchand will also contribute to a research project consisting of a series of experimental games.

"I've always been a very hands-on game designer," he told Gamasutra. "And I'm a big believer that no matter what level you're working at on a project, it's a very great thing to be able to stay connected to the practical processes of building out a game."

The industry veteran most recently served as co-lead designer on Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.

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