Naughty Dog Confirms Second Unannounced Game in Development

Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog, has unveiled that the studio is actively developing a second, yet-to-be-announced game alongside Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. During his interview on the Press X to Continue podcast, Druckmann shared insights into his multifaceted roles at Sony-owned Naughty Dog. For Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, he collaborates with game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, and co-writes the narrative with Claire Carré. However, he remained tight-lipped about the director overseeing the second project.

Druckmann described his role in the mystery game as more of a producer, allowing him to mentor and oversee the team, providing executive feedback. "I enjoy all those roles, and the fact I jump between one to the next, it makes my job very exciting and always feeling fresh. I'm never bored," he expressed, highlighting the dynamic nature of his work.

While the production stages of both games remain undisclosed, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is further along, given its public announcement. Speculation abounds about the nature of the second game. Could it be The Last of Us 3? Druckmann has previously voiced uncertainty about the feasibility of the project, yet he has a clear vision for its conclusion. His producer role on the undisclosed game suggests it might not be The Last of Us 3, as one would expect him to take a directorial position for such a pivotal title.

Another possibility is a new installment in the Uncharted series, absent since 2017's The Lost Legacy. Could it be time for the franchise's return? Alternatively, Naughty Dog might be crafting an entirely new intellectual property, akin to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

It's important to acknowledge the potential for this second game to remain unlaunched or undisclosed by Sony. Naughty Dog has faced challenges in recent years, notably the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in December 2023 to prioritize single-player experiences. This decision reflects a broader shift away from live service titles at Sony.

Historically, Naughty Dog has found it challenging to juggle two major projects simultaneously, with one typically taking precedence. The studio's last original release was The Last of Us 2 in 2020, followed by remakes and collections.

Regarding Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the game boasts a stellar cast, including Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie as protagonist Jordan A. Mun, and Kumail Nanjiani of Marvel's Eternals as Colin Graves. Despite an anticipated release no earlier than 2027, Druckmann remains enthusiastic, stating on the red carpet ahead of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere that the game is already playable and "really good." He teased, "I will say we are playing it at the office and it's incredible. It's really good. I'm so excited to finally put gameplay out into the world and show people about it, because we just showed you the very, very, very tip on the iceberg. The game goes pretty deep beyond that."