Naughty Dog executive Neil Druckmann has announced that the video game studio is developing two new projects in The Last of Us franchise.
Speaking to journalists as part of a Last of Us Day event, Druckmann provided an update on the company's future release schedule. He explained that developers will first complete a new science-fiction game before turning their attention back to the popular survival series.
The studio intends to reveal detailed information in 2027 regarding Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi game that has been under development for several years. After wrapping up work on that title, Naughty Dog plans to shift its creative focus back to The Last of Us.
Expanding the Last of Us Universe
Druckmann revealed that the studio is working on two distinct Last of Us projects simultaneously. He stated that both titles are designed to expand the overall narrative of the universe rather than rehash past releases.
According to Druckmann, the development team values the world of The Last of Us deeply and would not return to the setting without a meaningful purpose. He said team members decided to pursue the projects because they believe the new stories are worth telling.
In recent years, the franchise has primarily seen re-releases, including graphics remasters and personal computer ports of previous games. Druckmann indicated that the upcoming projects will offer brand new story lines, although he did not confirm whether either title is a numbered entry such as The Last of Us Part 3.
History of the Franchise
Naughty Dog is an American video game developer based in Santa Monica, California, operating as a primary development studio for Sony Interactive Entertainment. The company earned acclaim for story-driven action games, such as the Crash Bandicoot and Uncharted franchises, prior to launching The Last of Us in 2013.
The original game depicts a post-apocalyptic world where infected creatures and hostile human factions threaten survivors across the ruined United States. The series expanded with a major sequel in 2020 and achieved broader mainstream popularity following a television series adaptation broadcast on HBO.
With detailed reveals for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet scheduled for 2027, official announcements regarding release dates and gameplay details for the two new Last of Us projects are expected to follow later in the studio's development cycle.
