Naughty Dog’s recent comments suggest the Last of Us video game series might be over. Let's delve into the future of The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.
The Last of Us: No More Sequels?
Naughty Dog's Statement
The Last of Us Part II may be the final chapter in the acclaimed post-apocalyptic saga. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at the series' conclusion, stating, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it." This casts doubt on the future of The Last of Us video games, as Naughty Dog shifts focus towards its television adaptation.
Druckmann previously shared his philosophy on sequels with IGN at the DICE Summit 2025, explaining he avoids thinking about sequels during initial game development. He prefers to approach each game as a standalone project, stating, "I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game… I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here." This suggests that any future Last of Us ideas were incorporated into existing games, leaving little room for additional sequels. The Last of Us Part II’s relatively conclusive ending further supports this notion. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us Season 2 on April 13, 2025.
A New Intellectual Property
While the future of The Last of Us games remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, they announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PlayStation 5, a sci-fi title in development since 2020, promising a unique and creative narrative. Further details on the game are yet to be revealed.
The Cancellation of The Last of Us Online
The cancellation of The Last of Us Online paved the way for Intergalactic. In a February 19, 2025 interview with the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the online project was discontinued to prioritize Intergalactic’s development. He cited advice from Bungie, highlighting the significant commitment required for successful live-service games. Yoshida noted that Naughty Dog initially lacked foresight regarding the resources needed for a live-service game, leading to the cancellation of The Last of Us Online to focus on their new IP.
Druckmann’s comments, coupled with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, strongly suggest Naughty Dog is currently finished with the Last of Us franchise. However, fans can look forward to The Last of Us Part II Remastered launching for PC on April 3, 2025. For updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, check out our related article!
