Wells’ induction will take place at the 29th annual D.I.C.E. Awards on February 12, 2026, at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas. Neil Druckmann, a longtime collaborator from Naughty Dog, will present Wells with his Hall of Fame Award live at the ceremony.
Evan Wells has worked in the video game industry for more than 30 years, most notably serving as an instrumental and foundational member of Naughty Dog’s history. He began his career as a Designer on ToeJam & Earl 2 before moving to Crystal Dynamics, where he contributed to Gex and Gex: Enter the Gecko.
Wells joined Naughty Dog in 1998, serving as Lead Designer and Director on several of the studio’s most iconic PS1 and PS2 titles, including Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Jak and Daxter and more. In 2004, he became Co-President of Naughty Dog, helping guide the studio for nearly two decades through a transformational era that produced award-winning and best-selling franchises such as UNCHARTED and The Last of Us.
Throughout his tenure, Wells helped foster the collaborative culture, technical excellence, and narrative ambition that define Naughty Dog today, leaving a lasting impact on both the studio and the broader games industry.
“Naughty Dog was able to create some truly incredible games and leave a lasting mark on the industry because of Evan’s unwavering leadership and the trust he placed in all of us,” said Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog Studio Head & Head of Creative. “I know I speak for many across the industry when I congratulate Evan on this well-deserved recognition. It’s a profound honor to present him with this Hall of Fame induction.”
“We are honored to recognize Evan Wells for his decades of creative leadership and his profound impact on the games industry,” said Meggan Scavio, President of the AIAS. “Throughout his tenure at Naughty Dog, Evan has exemplified what it means to lead with vision, integrity, and a deep respect for the craft. His commitment to nurturing talent and pushing creative boundaries has shaped generations of developers and inspired millions of players around the world. It is a privilege to celebrate his remarkable legacy at the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.”
The AIAS Hall of Fame honor is bestowed on game creators who have been instrumental in the development of highly influential games and in advancing entire genres. These individuals demonstrate the highest level of creativity, leadership, and innovation, shaping experiences that expand the possibilities of the medium. Past AIAS Hall of Fame recipients include Ted Price (2025), Koji Kondo (2024), Tim Schafer (2022), Ed Boon (2021), Connie Booth (2020), Bonnie Ross (2019), Todd Howard (2017), Hideo Kojima (2016), Leslie Benzies (2014), Dan and Sam Houser (2014), and Tim Sweeney (2012).