Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann Teases New The Last of Us Projects, Calls Intergalactic Prophet the Studio’s Biggest Game Yet

Neil Druckmann, president and head of creative at Naughty Dog, has teased that more The Last of Us projects are in the works, while also confirming that the studio’s upcoming sci-fi IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, is its most ambitious and expensive game to date.

In a new interview with Variety, Druckmann explained his decision to step back from day-to-day involvement in HBO’s The Last of Us series. He revealed that, as Season 3’s writers’ room was about to begin, his focus was increasingly divided between multiple Last of Us projects and the development of Intergalactic Prophet.

“With all the various ‘Last of Us’ things I’m working on – not just the show – with all the various games I’m working on, the biggest one that takes up most of my time is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. It felt like I could better serve all of my responsibilities if I stayed at a higher level.”

Hints of The Last of Us Part III?

Druckmann’s comments add fuel to speculation about The Last of Us Part III. Earlier this year, he suggested the series might not continue unless the team found a story worth telling. Months later, he appeared to leave the door open for a third installment. While no announcement has been made, his reference to “various Last of Us things” has sparked hope among fans that more is coming.

Intergalactic Prophet: Naughty Dog’s Most Ambitious Game

Druckmann also gave fresh insight into Intergalactic Prophet, which he described as larger in scale and cost than any game the studio has ever produced.

“We’re in the thick of it. We’re making it, we’re playing it. We’re firing on all cylinders. It’s the most ambitious game we’ve ever made. It’s the most expansive game we’ve ever made, maybe the most expensive by the time we finish it.”

The project reunites Druckmann with voice actor Troy Baker, who last worked with him on The Last of Us Part II.

In terms of gameplay, Druckmann suggested that Intergalactic Prophet builds on Naughty Dog’s design evolution, moving from Uncharted’s character-driven action, to the emotional storytelling and semi-open structures of The Last of Us, and pushing further into new systems within a sci-fi setting.

When Will It Launch?

A proper reveal date for Intergalactic Prophet has not yet been confirmed. While a surprise trailer at The Game Awards 2025 is possible, reports from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier indicate that the game is unlikely to release before 2027.

For now, Naughty Dog fans have to settle for teases - both about the potential future of The Last of Us and the long-awaited reveal of a new universe from one of PlayStation’s most celebrated studios.

Do you think Naughty Dog should prioritize The Last of Us Part III or go all-in on its new sci-fi IP first?