Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann concluded this year’s “The Last of Us Day” by giving updates on the developer’s current projects, teasing two new The Last of Us projects that “will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II” without confirming whether or not either one of them is a game, as well as saying that its next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Project, will be “fully reveal[ed]” next year.
Writing on the Naughty Dog blog, Druckmann thanked fans for helping raise over $11,000 for AbleGamers before addressing the status of the studio’s ongoing projects. Regarding The Last of Us, which he recently said the developer was “not done” with, Druckmann clarified that previous tease by specifically saying that the team has two TLOU projects on its plate. “We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages – so we can’t say much about them at this point,” he said. “I will tell you that both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II. The world of The Last of Us means a great deal to us, and we wouldn’t return to it unless we had something meaningful to say. We believe these stories are worth telling.”
Regarding Naughty Dog’s next game, the sci-fi Intergalactic: The Heretic Project, Druckmann said that the studio will stay quiet for the few remaining months of the year, but “in 2027, that changes. We’ll fully reveal Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and give you a proper look at Jordan’s wild sci-fi adventure.” He also called it Naughty Dog’s most ambitious project yet, and asked fans for their patience, perhaps an indirect olive branch to fans who were frustrated by Intergalactic’s no-show at the recent Sony State of Play. “There’s an electricity around the studio right now as all the pieces come together, and we’re stoked to finally unveil Intergalactic in all its glory,” he said. “But…we need to cook for just a little bit longer.”
Druckmann concluded with, “We know it’s been a long time since we’ve had much to share with you. We don’t take your continued support for granted. We’re working incredibly hard to make something worthy of your patience.”
Meanwhile, it looks like the HBO TV series adaptation of The Last of Us will wrap up with the upcoming third season.
Ryan McCaffrey
Executive Editor
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, and a co-host of Next-Gen Console Watch. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.
