Naughty Dog Confirms Second Unannounced Game in Development

Neil Druckmann, the chief of Naughty Dog, has exciting news for fans: the studio is not just working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet but also a secret, unannounced second game. In a recent interview with the Press X to Continue podcast, Druckmann shared insights into his multifaceted roles at Sony-owned Naughty Dog. For Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, he collaborates with game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, and co-writes with narrative director Claire Carré. However, he kept the identity of the director working on the second game under wraps.

Druckmann described his role on the second project as more of a producer, where he mentors and provides feedback to the team. "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 explained. He expressed his enthusiasm for juggling multiple 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 the development stages of both games remain undisclosed, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is further along, given its official announcement. Speculation about the second game is rife. Could it be The Last of Us 3? Druckmann has hinted at having an ending in mind, but his producer role suggests he might not be directly involved as a director, which seems unlikely for a project of that magnitude. Another possibility is a new Uncharted game, as it's been years since The Lost Legacy in 2017. Alternatively, Naughty Dog might be crafting an entirely new IP, similar to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

It's important to temper expectations, as there's always a chance this second game may never see the light of day or be officially revealed by Sony. Naughty Dog has faced challenges in recent times, including the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in December 2023 to focus on single-player experiences. Historically, the studio has struggled with managing two major projects simultaneously, with one often taking precedence.

As for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the game boasts a star-studded cast with Tati Gabrielle as protagonist Jordan A. Mun and Kumail Nanjiani as Colin Graves. While the earliest release is expected in 2027, Druckmann has teased that the game is already playable and "really good." Speaking to IGN at the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, he shared his excitement: "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."

Neil Druckmann says Naughty Dog is working on a second game. Photo by Rich Polk/Deadline via Getty Images.