Naughty Dog Confirms Second Unannounced Game in Development

Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog, recently disclosed that the studio is currently developing a secret, unannounced game in addition to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In a revealing interview with the Press X to Continue podcast, Druckmann shared insights into his multifaceted roles at the Sony-owned studio. He is collaborating with game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, co-writing the narrative with Claire Carré. However, he remained tight-lipped about the director overseeing the mysterious second project.

Druckmann expressed enthusiasm about his producer role on this undisclosed game, stating, "There’s another game that’s being worked on at Naughty Dog where I am more of a producer role and I get to mentor and watch this other team and give feedback and be like the executive in the room." He emphasized the diversity of his roles, saying, "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."

While Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is publicly known and likely further along in development, the nature of the second game remains a tantalizing mystery. Speculation abounds about what this project could be. Some fans hope for The Last of Us 3, although Druckmann's producer role suggests it may not be that highly anticipated sequel. Another possibility is a new entry in the Uncharted series, absent since 2017's The Lost Legacy. Alternatively, it could be an entirely new intellectual property, mirroring the approach taken with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

It's important to acknowledge that the fate of this second game remains uncertain. Naughty Dog has faced challenges in recent years, including the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in December 2023 to refocus on single-player experiences amid Sony's apparent shift away from live service games. Historically, Naughty Dog has found it difficult to juggle two major projects simultaneously, often prioritizing one over the other. The studio's last new release was The Last of Us 2 in 2020, with subsequent releases being remakes and collections.

As for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, it boasts an impressive cast, including Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie as protagonist Jordan A. Mun, and Kumail Nanjiani from Marvel's Eternals as Colin Graves. Despite a release not expected before 2027, Druckmann has praised the game's current state, saying, "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 of the iceberg. The game goes pretty deep beyond that."