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

In an engaging revelation, Neil Druckmann, the visionary behind Naughty Dog, disclosed to the Press X to Continue podcast that the studio is simultaneously crafting another secret game alongside the highly anticipated Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann, who is deeply involved in the narrative development of Intergalactic with co-writers Matthew Gallant, Kurt Margenau, and Claire Carré, will adopt a more supervisory role in this undisclosed project, acting as a producer and mentor to the team.

Druckmann expressed enthusiasm about juggling multiple roles, stating, “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.” This multifaceted approach not only keeps his work dynamic but also allows him to contribute significantly to different aspects of game development at Naughty Dog.

While Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is further along in its development, the nature of the second game remains a tantalizing mystery. Speculation abounds about whether it could be The Last of Us 3. However, Druckmann's comments suggest he would likely take a more hands-on directing role for such a pivotal sequel, making this less probable. Another possibility is a new entry in the Uncharted series, absent since 2017’s The Lost Legacy, or perhaps an entirely new IP, mirroring the innovative approach seen with Intergalactic.

Recent years have been challenging for Naughty Dog, highlighted by the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in December 2023. The decision was made to refocus efforts on single-player experiences, reflecting broader shifts in Sony's strategy away from live service games. Historically, Naughty Dog has found it difficult to manage two major projects simultaneously, often prioritizing one over the other. Since the release of The Last of Us 2 in 2020, the studio has primarily focused on remakes and collections.

Regarding Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Druckmann shared an optimistic update. The game boasts a star-studded cast, including Tati Gabrielle as protagonist Jordan A. Mun and Kumail Nanjiani as Colin Graves. Although a release is not anticipated before 2027, Druckmann assured that the game is already playable and promising, teasing, “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.”