Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann Confirms Second Unannounced Game in Development

In a revealing interview on the Press X to Continue podcast, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann disclosed that the studio is actively developing a second, yet-to-be-announced game alongside the already publicized Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann, who is involved with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet as a co-writer alongside narrative director Claire Carré and working with directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, mentioned taking on a more producer-centric role for this mysterious second project. This role allows him to mentor the team, provide feedback, and act as an executive overseer, a position he finds invigorating and constantly refreshing.

While the development stages of both games remain undisclosed, it's speculated that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, having been announced, might be further along. Speculation abounds regarding the nature of the second game. Could it be The Last of Us 3? Druckmann has previously expressed doubts about making this sequel but has an envisioned ending for it. However, his producer role on the second game suggests it might not be The Last of Us 3, as he would likely take a more directorial role for such a significant project.

Another possibility is a new Uncharted game, given the last new entry, The Lost Legacy, was released in 2017. Alternatively, Naughty Dog might be crafting a brand-new intellectual property, much like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

It's important to note the uncertainty surrounding the second game's future. Naughty Dog has faced challenges in recent years, including the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in December 2023 to prioritize single-player games. Historically, the studio has found it challenging to juggle two major projects simultaneously, with one typically taking precedence. The last entirely new game from Naughty Dog was The Last of Us Part II in 2020, followed by remakes and collections.

Regarding Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the game boasts a notable cast, including Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie as protagonist Jordan A. Mun and Kumail Nanjiani from Marvel's Eternals as Colin Graves. Although a release is not anticipated until at least 2027, Druckmann shared his enthusiasm during IGN's coverage of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere, stating that the game is already playable and "really good." He hinted at the depth and expansiveness of the game beyond what has been revealed so far.