The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences announced that Evan Wells, former co-president of Naughty Dog and one of the industry’s most high-profile studio leaders, will be inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) Hall of Fame at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. The ceremony will be held on Feb. 12, 2026, at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas. Neil Druckmann, Wells’ longtime collaborator at Naughty Dog, will present the honor.
Wells’ career spans more than three decades, beginning as a designer on ToeJam & Earl 2 before moving to Crystal Dynamics, where he contributed to Gex and Gex: Enter the Gecko. He joined Naughty Dog in 1998 and quickly became a key creative force behind several of the studio’s most recognizable PlayStation titles, including Crash Bandicoot: Warped and Jak and Daxter.
In 2004, Wells stepped into the role of co-president, helping guide Naughty Dog through nearly 20 years of growth and reinvention. Under his leadership, the studio launched critically acclaimed and commercially successful franchises such as Uncharted and The Last of Us, which helped shape the modern landscape of narrative‑driven AAA games.
Druckmann praised Wells’ influence, noting that the studio’s achievements were rooted in his steady leadership and trust in the team. AIAS President Meggan Scavio highlighted Wells’ commitment to creative excellence, calling his impact on developers and players “profound” and emphasizing his role in nurturing talent across generations.
The AIAS Hall of Fame recognizes creators whose work has significantly advanced the craft of game development. Previous inductees include Ted Price, Koji Kondo, Tim Schafer, Ed Boon, Connie Booth, Bonnie Ross, Todd Howard, Hideo Kojima, Leslie Benzies, Dan and Sam Houser and Tim Sweeney.
Registration for the 2026 D.I.C.E. Summit and Awards is now open. Nominees for the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards will be announced Jan. 8 on Kinda Funny Games, hosted by Greg Miller and Stella Chung.
