View source for Emilia Schatz

{{Short description|American video game designer}}
{{Infobox person
| image         = Emilia Schatz, E3 2018.jpg
| caption       = Emilia Schatz at [[E3 2018]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1979|02|18}}
| birth_place   = 
| nationality   = American
| occupation    = Game designer
| employer      = [[Naughty Dog]] (2010–present)
| years_active  = 2002–present
| spouse        = Katy
| alma_mater    = [[University of North Texas]]
}}

'''Emilia Schatz''' (born February 18, 1979) is an American [[video game designer]] best known for her work at [[Naughty Dog]]. She studied [[computer science]] at the [[University of North Texas]], where she later worked before searching for work in the video game industry. She was hired at [[Terminal Reality]], where she worked as a level scripter on ''[[Re-Mission]]'', as a level designer on ''[[BlowOut]]'' and ''[[BloodRayne 2]]'', and as a senior game designer on ''[[Ghostbusters: The Video Game]]''. She was hired at Naughty Dog in 2009, and began working early in development on ''[[Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception]]'', for which she designed several levels. She assisted with [[Development of The Last of Us|the development]] of ''[[The Last of Us]]''.

Schatz [[came out]] as [[transgender]] in 2012, when she began her [[gender transition]], and came out to the company in March 2014. She was promoted to co-lead game designer for [[Development of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End|the development]] of ''[[Uncharted&nbsp;4: A Thief's End]]''. In this role, she worked alongside [[Bruce Straley]] and [[Neil Druckmann]] and helped work on [[Game accessibility|accessibility]] options. She was co-lead game designer for [[Development of The Last of Us Part II|the development]] of ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]'', during which she continued to lead the company's accessibility efforts. Her work and image in the industry has been praised and awarded.

== Early life ==
Emilia Schatz was born on February 18, 1979.<ref name="Twitter Birthday"/><ref name="Twitter Age"/> She grew up in [[Texas]].<ref name="Twitter Texas"/> Her mother is an [[art teacher]] at an [[elementary school]]; Schatz felt that, outside of games, teaching would also be her career choice.<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/> As a child, Schatz was a fan of [[Nintendo]] games, specifically ''[[Mario]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', and had a fondness for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref name="Mary Sue Interview" /><ref name="Max Level 1"/> Schatz's early jobs included mowing lawns, [[data entry]], installing [[ethernet]], and working at [[Golden Corral]].<ref name="Twitter Jobs"/> At high school, she learned how to program [[role-playing game]]s on her [[Programmable calculator|calculator]]. To pay for her university studies, Schatz worked with professors to create [[web page]]s.<ref name="Women in Gaming"/> She studied [[computer science]] at [[Baylor University]] from 1997 to 1999.<ref name="LinkedIn"/> In 2001, she graduated from the [[University of North Texas]] with a [[Bachelor of Computer Science]], with a [[Academic major|major]] in [[general studies]] and [[Academic minor|minors]] in computer science, art, and English.<ref name="UNT"/> As part of the university's Laboratory for Recreational Computing, Schatz worked on several [[educational game]]s in [[Adobe Flash]]. She also used Flash to develop her own games, including one inspired by ''[[Tempest (video game)|Tempest]]'' (1981) on a [[Counterfeit|bootleg]] development environment for [[Game Boy Advance]].<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/>

== Career ==
=== Terminal Reality (2002–2009) ===
Schatz worked at the University of North Texas for almost three years as a web developer after graduating.<ref name="LinkedIn"/> She applied to multiple game development studios in [[Dallas]], and in August 2002 was hired by [[Terminal Reality]] as a level scripter on ''[[Re-Mission]]'',<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/> which aligned with her former experience with educational Flash games; she designed several levels for ''Re-Mission''.<ref name="Women in Gaming"/> She worked as a level designer on ''[[BlowOut]]'' (2003) and ''[[BloodRayne 2]]''{{px2}};<ref name="BlowOut Booklet"/><ref name="WWT"/> she found the latter jarring due to the oversexualization of the lead character. She worked as a senior game designer on the canceled ''Demonik'' and ''[[Ghostbusters: The Video Game]]'' (2009), and provided additional game design work on ''[[Kinect Star Wars]]'' (2012).<ref name="Women in Gaming"/> She found ''Ghostbusters: The Video Game'' "really fun to work on"<ref name="Max Level 1"/> but was becoming restless and felt she "wasn't making the games I always wished I could make".<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/>

Following the release of ''Ghostbusters: The Video Game'', having spent seven years at Terminal Reality, Schatz began applying for positions at her "dream studios",<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/> including [[Double Fine]] and [[Naughty Dog]]; she noted that she "wasn't that interested" in [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]]'s games until she played Naughty Dog's ''[[Uncharted: Drake's Fortune]]'' (2007), and had enjoyed the cinematic qualities of ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'' and ''[[Jak and Daxter]]'', so felt it would be a good studio to work with.<ref name="Max Level 1"/> The studio was preparing to release ''[[Uncharted 2: Among Thieves]]'' (2009) at the time, which delayed Schatz's application and interview.<ref name="PS Podcast"/>{{rp|at=34:07}} She had a [[phone interview]] with Naughty Dog, and was later flown out for an in-person test and interview in November 2009. As part of the test, she had to design a level in 30 minutes; by the end of the day, she was hired.<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/>

=== Naughty Dog (2010–present) ===
{{multiple image |direction=vertical |total_width=250
|footer=Schatz has presented at several conferences.<ref name="WonderCon 2015"/><ref name="Twitter WWT"/>
|image1=Emilia Schatz, Wondercon 2015.jpg |caption1=Wondercon 2015 |alt1=Schatz speaking at a panel with two others
|image2=Emilia Schatz, LiU Game Conference 2016.jpg |caption2=LiU Game Conference 2016 |alt2=Schatz speaking at a panel }}

Schatz's first day at Naughty Dog was January 6, 2010.<ref name="Twitter Anniversary"/> She began working at the company early in development on ''[[Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception]]'' (2011), designing the French [[château]] level, the foot chase, and the ending's underground and collapse segments.<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/> She often referenced ''The Legend of Zelda'' when designing levels for the game,<ref name="Max Level 1"/> and cited [[Don Norman]]'s [[usability engineering]] research in guiding the player.<ref name="Gibson"/>{{rp|p=202}} One of her strengths is dynamic environmental levels, such as collapsing buildings.<ref name="PS Podcast"/>{{rp|at=35:36}} In April 2012, Schatz participated in a [[panel discussion]] at [[PAX East]] alongside game director Justin Richmond and community strategist Arne Meyer.<ref name="Kotaku PAX"/> After the release of ''Uncharted 3'', Schatz assisted with the final months of [[Development of The Last of Us|the development]] of ''[[The Last of Us]]'' (2013), providing additional design instead of creating from scratch; she designed the segment in which the player runs from an [[armored truck]], as well as one of the final levels as the player escapes from the hospital, which she took over from designer Peter Field.<ref name="Max Level 1"/>

Schatz participated in a panel discussion about [[queer]] identities in gaming at [[GaymerX]] in July 2014,<ref name="GameRevolution Gender"/> in a panel about game design at [[PlayStation Experience]] in December 2014,<ref name="Twitter PSX"/> and at a panel at [[WonderCon]] in April 2015.<ref name="WonderCon 2015"/> For [[Development of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End|the development]] of ''[[Uncharted 4: A Thief's End]]'' (2016), Schatz was promoted to co-lead game designer,<ref name="GameCrate U4"/> overseeing level creation and checking in with artists and programmers working on them. She regularly met with game director [[Bruce Straley]] and creative director [[Neil Druckmann]] about the game's story and overall direction.<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/> Schatz and [[user interface]] (UI) designer Alex Neonakis collaborated on the game's [[Game accessibility|accessibility]] options,<ref name="Eurogamer Accessibility"/><ref name="MCV Accessibility"/> having received emails and messages from disabled gamers requesting them.<ref name="WSJ"/> Schatz noted the push for accessibility was initially a struggle, but they had much more support by the end of development.<ref name="Women in Gaming"/> Schatz designed the Scotland, Marooned, and No Escape levels, as well as some of the mechanics like rock climbing and slope sliding.<ref name="Twitter U4"/> She felt ''Uncharted 4''{{'}}s [[Crunch (video games)|crunch]] was Naughty Dog's worst.<ref name="Schreier"/>{{rp|p=55}} Schatz spoke at the Wonder Women Tech Conference in July 2016.<ref name="Twitter WWT"/>

[[File:Emilia Schatz and Richard Cambier, E3 2018 (slightly cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Schatz was part of the leadership team for [[Development of The Last of Us Part II|the development]] of ''[[The Last of Us Part&nbsp;II]]'' as co-lead game designer alongside Richard Cambier (right).<ref name="Wells Update"/>|alt=A 39-year-old woman with brown hair and a man with a dark beard and a cap smiling at the camera]]

In 2017, Schatz was named among the 100 Most Creative People by ''[[Fast Company]]'' "for helping the gaming industry evolve".<ref name="Fast Company"/> She began providing [[lecture]]s in the level design course at CG Master Academy;<ref name="80 Level CG"/> she learned more about her own design work by breaking it down for the classes, and found the process rewarding to see the students' improvement. She sought to continue supplemental teaching work in the future to guide aspiring game developers.<ref name="Women in Gaming"/> Schatz was part of the leadership team for [[Development of The Last of Us Part II|the development]] of ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]'' (2020) as co-lead game designer alongside Richard Cambier.<ref name="Gamasutra VP"/><ref name="Wells Update"/> In December 2016, she [[crocheted]] a yarn doll of [[Ellie (The Last of Us)|Ellie]], the game's protagonist, and provided instructions on Naughty Dog's website.<ref name="GamesRadar Yarn"/> The game's depiction of queer and [[transgender]] characters was personally important to Schatz, though she anticipated it would receive criticism;<ref name="NYT"/> she helped the writers to create a transgender character, Lev, as Druckmann wanted to ensure appropriate representation.<ref name="PS Podcast"/>{{rp|at=42:10}} Schatz was responsible for the addition of a rainbow crosswalk and [[transgender flag]] in the [[Capitol Hill, Seattle|Capitol Hill]] level of the game, and designed a queer bookstore, for which she worked with writer [[Halley Gross]].<ref name="Twitter Queer"/><ref name="PS Podcast"/>{{rp|at=42:10}}

Schatz continued leading the studio's accessibility efforts for ''The Last of Us Part II'', now alongside lead systems designer Matthew Gallant. They ensured these options were prioritized early in development.<ref name="Gamasutra Accessibility"/> Schatz felt ''Uncharted 4''{{'}}s accessibility options were "pretty sparse" despite the praise they received, and wanted to improve upon them in ''The Last of Us Part II''.<ref name="Verge Accessibility"/> She started working on the game's accessibility after being questioned about the options at GAconf,<ref name="Eurogamer Accessibility TLOU2"/> wanting to ensure all players could complete the game.<ref name="NPR Accessibility"/> Schatz and Gallant accepted the award for Innovation in Accessibility at [[the Game Awards 2020]],<ref name="LA Times"/> and Schatz accepted [[GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game|Outstanding Video Game]] at the [[32nd GLAAD Media Awards]].<ref name="PinkNews GLAAD"/> She was co-nominated for [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Game Design]] at the [[24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]].<ref name="DICE 2021 Noms"/> In June 2020, Arti Sergeev of ''80 Level'' named Schatz as one of the six developers at Naughty Dog who "revolutionized the industry".<ref name="80 Level Industry"/>

Schatz is working as principal game designer on ''[[Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet]]''.<ref name="Bluesky Intergalactic"/>

== Personal life ==
[[Assigned male at birth]], Schatz began the process of [[gender transition]] in 2012, [[coming out]] to her family and friends.<ref name="WWT"/> In late 2012, she began anonymously talking with [[human resources]] at Sony to discover more about the company's diversity guidelines. She came out to Naughty Dog's head of operations and organized a plan to send a company-wide email on March 14, 2014, which they coordinated with co-presidents Christophe Balestra and [[Evan Wells]]. The company set up the transition so Schatz had a new [[email address]], business cards, and company [[head shot]] when she returned the following week;<ref name="Max Level 2"/> her name was changed in the credits of ''The Last of Us Remastered'' (2014).<ref name="Twitter Remastered"/> Nervous about the response, Schatz brought in cookies made by her wife.<ref name="GameRevolution Gender"/> In deciding to come out, she described the process as "less of an 'if' and more of a 'when{{'"}}, as she was beginning to suffer emotionally by pretending to identify as male at work.<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/>

Schatz and her wife Katy, a young adult fantasy novelist, live in [[Santa Monica]] with their daughter and cats.<ref name="WWT"/><ref name="Twitter Child"/><ref name="Twitter Katy"/> Their daughter was born on December 24, 2017.<ref name="Twitter Child"/> Some of Schatz's favorite games that have influenced her as developer include ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'' (1991), ''[[Secret of Mana]]'' (1993), ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' (1994), and ''[[Super Metroid]]'' (1994). She has a particular interest in [[Metroidvania]] games due to the exploration and discovery of secrets.<ref name="Mary Sue Interview"/> Schatz participated in the [[2017 Women's March]].<ref name="Twitter March"/>

== Works ==
=== Video games ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="border:none; margin:0"
|- valign="bottom"
! scope="col"| Year !! scope="col"| Game title !! scope="col"| Role
|-
| 2003 || ''[[BlowOut]]'' || Senior level designer<ref name="BlowOut Booklet"/>
|-
| 2004 || ''[[BloodRayne 2]]'' || Level designer<ref name="Women in Gaming"/>
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Re-Mission]]'' || Level designer<ref name="Women in Gaming"/>
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Ghostbusters: The Video Game]]'' || Game designer<ref name="Women in Gaming"/>
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception]]'' || Game designer<ref name="Women in Gaming"/>
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Kinect Star Wars]]'' || Additional design<ref name="Women in Gaming"/>
|-
| 2013 || ''[[The Last of Us]]'' || Additional game designer<ref name="Max Level 1"/>
|-
| 2014 || ''[[The Last of Us: Left Behind]]'' || Additional game designer<ref name="Max Level 1"/>
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Uncharted 4: A Thief's End]]'' || Co-lead game designer<ref name="MCV Accessibility"/>
|-
| 2020 || ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]'' || Co-lead game designer<ref name="Gamasutra VP"/>
|-
| {{TBA}} || ''[[Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet]]'' || Principal game designer<ref name="Bluesky Intergalactic"/>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="80 Level CG">{{cite web |url=https://80.lv/articles/defining-environment-language-for-video-games/ |title=Defining Environment Language for Video Games |last=Sergeev |first=Arti |work=80 Level |date=June 27, 2017 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628163024/https://80.lv/articles/defining-environment-language-for-video-games/ |archivedate=June 28, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="80 Level Industry">{{cite web |url=https://80.lv/articles/people-of-naughty-dog-who-revolutionized-the-industry/ |title=People of Naughty Dog Who Revolutionized The Industry |last=Sergeev |first=Arti |work=80 Level |date=June 19, 2020 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311004215/https://80.lv/articles/people-of-naughty-dog-who-revolutionized-the-industry/ |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="BlowOut Booklet">{{cite book |title=BlowOut Instruction Booklet |author=Hanshaw Ink & Image |publisher=[[Majesco Sales]] |year=2003 |page=21 }}</ref>

<ref name="Bluesky Intergalactic">{{cite web |url=https://bsky.app/profile/thegreatbluebit.bsky.social/post/3ld62qyot322r |title=Finally very proud to reveal the game I began working on back during the pandemic! |last=Schatz |first=Emilia [@thegreatbluebit.bsky.social] |type=Social post |date=December 13, 2024 |accessdate=December 16, 2024 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/uBYeQ |archivedate=December 16, 2024 |url-status=live |via=[[Bluesky]] }}</ref>

<ref name="DICE 2021 Noms">{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/news/24th_annual_dice_awards_finalists_revealed.asp |title=24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists Revealed |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126195305/https://www.interactive.org/news/24th_annual_dice_awards_finalists_revealed.asp |archivedate=January 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Accessibility">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-20-uncharted-4s-wonderful-accessibility-options |title=Uncharted 4's wonderful accessibility options |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=May 20, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521134536/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-05-20-uncharted-4s-wonderful-accessibility-options |archivedate=May 21, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer Accessibility TLOU2">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/with-great-accessibility-comes-great-inclusivity |title='With great accessibility comes great inclusivity' |last=Purchese |first=Robert |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |date=April 10, 2021 |accessdate=September 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517154002/https://www.eurogamer.net/with-great-accessibility-comes-great-inclusivity |archivedate=May 17, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Fast Company">{{cite news |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/person/emilia-schatz |title=Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People 2017 |editor-last=Safian |editor-first=Robert |work=[[Fast Company]] |page=93 |date=June 1, 2017 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527023323/https://www.fastcompany.com/person/emilia-schatz |archivedate=May 27, 2017 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gamasutra Accessibility">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/365717/Prioritizing_accessibility_early_on_was_vital_for_The_Last_of_Us_Part_2s_robust_features.php |title=Prioritizing accessibility early on was vital for The Last of Us Part 2's robust features |last=McAloon |first=Alissa |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Informa]] |date=June 30, 2020 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701214241/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/365717/Prioritizing_accessibility_early_on_was_vital_for_The_Last_of_Us_Part_2s_robust_features.php |archivedate=July 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gamasutra VP">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315396/Neil_Druckmann_is_now_the_vice_president_of_Naughty_Dog.php |title=Neil Druckmann is now the vice president of Naughty Dog |last=McAloon |first=Alissa |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[Informa]] |date=March 9, 2018 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309211748/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315396/Neil_Druckmann_is_now_the_vice_president_of_Naughty_Dog.php |archivedate=March 9, 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name="GameCrate U4">{{cite web |url=https://gamecrate.com/interview-lead-game-designer-emilia-schatz-story-uncharted-4-thiefs-end/13245 |title=Interview: Lead game designer Emilia Schatz on the story of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End |last=Semel |first=Paul |work=GameCrate |publisher=[[Newegg]] |date=April 4, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406143652/https://gamecrate.com/interview-lead-game-designer-emilia-schatz-story-uncharted-4-thiefs-end/13245 |archivedate=April 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GameRevolution Gender">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/8608-picking-your-gender-5-industry-professionals-discuss-queer-identity-in-gaming |title=Picking Your Gender: 5 Industry Professionals Discuss Queer Identity in Gaming |last=Almogi |first=Gil |work=[[GameRevolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |date=July 15, 2014 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701062910/https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/8608-picking-your-gender-5-industry-professionals-discuss-queer-identity-in-gaming |archivedate=July 1, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadar Yarn">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/this-last-of-us-2-yarn-ellie-doll-was-made-by-the-lead-designer-herself-and-she-left-instructions/ |title=This Last of Us 2 Yarn Ellie doll was made by the lead designer herself, and she left instructions |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |work=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=December 20, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222155244/https://www.gamesradar.com/this-last-of-us-2-yarn-ellie-doll-was-made-by-the-lead-designer-herself-and-she-left-instructions/ |archivedate=December 22, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Gibson">{{cite book |title=Introduction to Game Design, Prototyping, and Development |last=Gibson |first=Jeremy |publisher=[[Addison-Wesley]] |isbn=978-0-321-93316-4 |year=2015 }}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku PAX">{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/04/so-why-is-headless-nathan-drake-taking-on-that-helicopter/ |title=So... Why Is Headless Nathan Drake Taking On That Helicopter? |last=Hamilton |first=Kirk |work=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |date=April 7, 2012 |access-date=March 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825063538/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/04/so-why-is-headless-nathan-drake-taking-on-that-helicopter/ |archive-date=August 25, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-12-11/the-game-awards-2020-wrap-the-last-of-us |title=Review: The Game Awards wants to take video games seriously, but is the industry ready to follow? |last=Martens |first=Todd |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 11, 2020 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211232119/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2020-12-11/the-game-awards-2020-wrap-the-last-of-us |archivedate=December 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="LinkedIn">{{cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliaschatz/ |title=Emilia Schatz |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |publisher=[[LinkedIn]] |accessdate=March 10, 2021 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20210309030120/https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliaschatz/ |archivedate=March 9, 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=registration }}</ref>

<ref name="Mary Sue Interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.themarysue.com/emilia-schatz-interview/ |title=The Mary Sue Interview: Naughty Dog Game Designer Emilia Schatz |last=Ochart |first=David |work=[[The Mary Sue]] |publisher=[[Abrams Media]] |date=June 28, 2015 |accessdate=March 10, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630231147/https://www.themarysue.com/emilia-schatz-interview/ |archivedate=June 30, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Max Level 1">{{cite web |url=http://maxlevel.org/uncharted-last-us-hour-emilia-schatz-pt/ |title=From Uncharted to The Last of Us: An Hour with Emilia Schatz, Pt.&nbsp;I |last=Lemay |first=Emily |work=Max Level |date=July 29, 2014 |accessdate=March 10, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007091234/http://maxlevel.org/uncharted-last-us-hour-emilia-schatz-pt/ |archivedate=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Max Level 2">{{cite web |url=http://maxlevel.org/uncharted-last-us-hour-emilia-schatz-pt-ii/ |title=From Uncharted to The Last of Us: An Hour with Emilia Schatz, Pt.&nbsp;II |last=Lemay |first=Emily |work=Max Level |date=July 30, 2014 |accessdate=March 10, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804113705/http://maxlevel.org/uncharted-last-us-hour-emilia-schatz-pt-ii/ |archivedate=August 4, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="MCV Accessibility">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/games-do-more-than-entertain-the-disabled-how-naughty-dog-made-uncharted-4-more-accessible/ |title='Games do more than entertain the disabled': How Naughty Dog made Uncharted 4 more accessible |magazine=[[MCV/Develop]] |publisher=Biz Media |date=May 20, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310234747/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/games-do-more-than-entertain-the-disabled-how-naughty-dog-made-uncharted-4-more-accessible/ |archivedate=March 10, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NPR Accessibility">{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/20/889820512/the-last-of-us-part-ii-presents-an-accessible-apocalypse |title='The Last Of Us Part II' Presents An Accessible Apocalypse |last=Acovino |first=Vincent |work=[[Morning Edition]] |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=July 20, 2020 |accessdate=September 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720091813/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/20/889820512/the-last-of-us-part-ii-presents-an-accessible-apocalypse |archivedate=July 20, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/style/video-games-inclusion.html |title=These People Helped Shape Video Game Culture in 2020 |last1=Sarkeesian |first1=Anita |authorlink1=Anita Sarkeesian |last2=Petit |first2=Carolyn |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=December 17, 2020 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217100655/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/style/video-games-inclusion.html |archivedate=December 17, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PinkNews GLAAD">{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/04/08/glaad-awards-2021-tell-me-why-the-last-of-us-part-ii-win/ |title=Two LGBT+ games – Tell Me Why and The Last of Us Part II – tie for GLAAD Outstanding Video Game award |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |work=[[PinkNews]] |date=April 8, 2021 |accessdate=September 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210071746/https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/04/08/glaad-awards-2021-tell-me-why-the-last-of-us-part-ii-win/ |archivedate=February 10, 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="PS Podcast">{{cite podcast |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/07/09/official-playstation-podcast-episode-403-hear-here/ |title=Hear Here! |work=Official PlayStation Podcast |number=403 |publisher=[[PlayStation]] |date=July 9, 2021 |accessdate=September 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709173517/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/07/09/official-playstation-podcast-episode-403-hear-here/ |archivedate=July 9, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Schreier">{{cite book |title=Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made |last=Schreier |first=Jason |authorlink=Jason Schreier |publisher=[[Harper (publisher)|Harper]] |isbn=978-0-062-65123-5 |year=2017 }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Age">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=1374972716416069638 |date=March 25, 2021 |title=Also, I just recently turned 42, so things could go not so well. |accessdate=March 27, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326145525/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/1374972716416069638 |archivedate=March 26, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Anniversary">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=817474553232248832 |date=January 6, 2017 |title=Seven year anniversary at Naughty Dog! Wow, that's a long time. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311040404/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/817474553232248832 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Birthday">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=1494737113111093248 |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Oh, are you my birthday buddy? Feb 18th? |accessdate=November 9, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218181942/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/1494737113111093248 |archivedate=February 18, 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Child">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=958236897431580672 |date=January 30, 2018 |title=She was born on Christmas Eve and she is beautiful. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311014208/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/958236897431580672 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Jobs">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=761989934630580224 |date=August 7, 2016 |title=#firstsevenjobs |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311040133/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/761989934630580224 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Katy">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=1319843615015796742 |date=October 23, 2020 |title=Katy would like me to make it clear that this was all her doing. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024033116/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/1319843615015796742 |archivedate=October 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter March">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=823670184544083968 |date=January 23, 2017 |title=I was proud to be part of this weekend's Women's March. Loved this essay's commentary. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311040603/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/823670184544083968 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Queer">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=1343461021545951232 |date=December 28, 2020 |title=In TLOU2 I really wanted a queer presence in Capitol Hill so included a rainbow crosswalk in the blockmesh and worked with the artists and writers to have a queer bookstore there that Ellie and Dina find and talk about. Included a trans flag too! |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228073739/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/1343461021545951232 |archivedate=December 28, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter PSX">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=542836603991777280 |date=December 10, 2014 |title=Our panel at PSX about "How to Become a Game Designer". I talk at about 17:45. Includes some U4 behind-the-scenes! |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311041116/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/542836603991777280 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Remastered">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=505880458400264192 |date=August 31, 2014 |title=So, @Naughty_Dog is really awesome and changed my name in the credits for TLOU: Remastered |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311031244/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/505880458400264192 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter Texas">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=528785237711388673 |date=November 1, 2014 |title=Growing up in Texas, I never really understood "parking tickets" or "parallel parking" when people talked about them on TV. Yeah, now I do. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311040950/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/528785237711388673 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter U4">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=1179892588033105920 |date=October 3, 2019 |title=In addition to Scotland, I was also lead designer (advising other level designs) and designed the "Marooned" and "No Escape levels. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003230439/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/1179892588033105920 |archivedate=October 3, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Twitter WWT">{{cite tweet |last=Schatz |first=Emilia |user=thegreatbluebit |number=754833148043599872 |date=July 17, 2016 |title=Spoke @wonderwomantech today about transitioning at Naughty Dog. |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311041215/https://twitter.com/thegreatbluebit/status/754833148043599872 |archivedate=March 11, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="UNT">{{cite web |url=https://northtexan.unt.edu/issues/2016-fall/art-innovation |title=The Art of Innovation |last=DeLeón |first=Jessica |work=North Texan |publisher=[[University of North Texas]] |date=September 30, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201092618/https://northtexan.unt.edu/issues/2016-fall/art-innovation |archivedate=December 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Verge Accessibility">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/21274923/the-last-of-us-part-2-accessibility-features-naughty-dog-interview-ps4 |title=The Last of Us Part II Isn't Just Naughty Dog's Most Ambitious Game – It's the Most Accessible, Too |last=Webster |first=Andrew |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 1, 2020 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601165423/https://www.theverge.com/21274923/the-last-of-us-part-2-accessibility-features-naughty-dog-interview-ps4 |archivedate=June 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Wells Update">{{cite web |url=https://www.naughtydog.com/blog/studio_update_neil_druckmann_the_last_of_us_part_ii |title=An Update from Studio President Evan Wells |last=Wells |first=Evan |authorlink=Evan Wells |work=[[Naughty Dog]] |publisher=[[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] |date=March 9, 2018 |accessdate=March 10, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135541/https://www.naughtydog.com/blog/studio_update_neil_druckmann_the_last_of_us_part_ii |archivedate=March 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Women in Gaming">{{cite book |last=Marie |first=Meagan |date=December 4, 2018 |title=Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play |chapter=Emilia Schatz |pages=166–167 |publisher=[[Prima Games]] |isbn=978-0-744-01993-3 }}</ref>

<ref name="WonderCon 2015">{{cite web |url=https://genesedavis.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/be-impactful-in-game-dev-wondercon-2015/ |title=Be Impactful in Game Dev — WonderCon 2015 |last=Davis |first=Genese |authorlink=Genese Davis |date=March 6, 2015 |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627034730/https://genesedavis.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/be-impactful-in-game-dev-wondercon-2015/ |archivedate=June 27, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WSJ">{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disabled-gamers-get-a-new-controller-from-microsoft-1526549401 |title=Microsoft Is Giving Disabled Gamers a Better Controller |last=Needleman |first=Sarah E. |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher=[[News Corp]] |date=May 17, 2018 |accessdate=March 13, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517121757/https://www.wsj.com/articles/disabled-gamers-get-a-new-controller-from-microsoft-1526549401 |archivedate=May 17, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="WWT">{{cite web |url=https://wonderwomentech.com/speaker/emilia-schatz/ |title=Emilia Schatz |publisher=Wonder Woman Tech |accessdate=March 11, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103174108/https://wonderwomentech.com/speaker/emilia-schatz/ |archivedate=November 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

{{Naughty Dog}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schatz, Emilia}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]
[[Category:American transgender women]]
[[Category:American video game designers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Naughty Dog people]]
[[Category:People from Texas]]
[[Category:Uncharted]]
[[Category:University of North Texas alumni]]
[[Category:Women video game designers]]
[[Category:Women video game developers]]