Man, I gotta tell you guys about this whole Naughty Dog merchandising thing I got into. It’s been a wild ride, let me say.
So, it all started a while back, maybe around mid-2019. I heard the buzz about the PlayStation Gear Store going live, and being a huge fan of Naughty Dog games like The Last of Us and Uncharted, I just had to check it out.
When I first browsed their site, I was pretty stoked. They had all sorts of cool stuff – apparel, accessories, you name it. I remember seeing this awesome Ellie-themed t-shirt, and I just knew I had to snag it.
- I spent a good chunk of time just browsing, adding things to my cart like a kid in a candy store.
- I even stumbled upon some collectible statues – Jak and Daxter, which really took me back.
- I ended up ordering a bunch of stuff, not just for myself, but also some gifts for my buddies who are also into Naughty Dog.
I also noticed they were active on social media. One time, I saw a post on their Instagram, something about new unlockable skins in The Last of Us Part II Remastered. I thought, “Man, they’re really keeping things fresh!” I also saw a post talking about the co-founders of Naughty Dog and how they started. I felt I should learn about it.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I decided to dive deeper. I found myself on StockX, of all places, looking at Naughty Dog stuff. People were actually buying and selling their merch there, just like stocks. It was pretty nuts!
Honestly, the whole experience has been a blast. From geeking out over the initial merch drop to seeing the community actively trading and engaging with the brand, it’s been quite the journey. It just goes to show how a game studio can create such a dedicated following, not just for their games, but for the whole brand experience.
Oh, and I recently read something about Naughty Dog’s early days. They had a tiny budget back in the ’80s when they were starting, and now look at them! It’s pretty inspiring, really.
The Takeaway
This whole Naughty Dog merchandising thing really showed me the power of a strong brand. They’ve managed to create a world that extends beyond the games themselves. It’s not just about playing; it’s about being part of a community, a culture even. And that’s something pretty special, I think.
I can only image how much their new project will make an impact on the community. I heard the project started in 2020, and the name has been finally revealed. I will definitely follow that.
Anyway, that’s my story. It might sound a bit all over the place, but that’s how it went down. Hope you guys enjoyed hearing about it!
