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

In a recent revelation on the Press X to Continue podcast, Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann announced that alongside their known project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio is also developing another secret game. Druckmann, who is heavily involved in Intergalactic as a co-writer with narrative director Claire Carré and working alongside game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, will take on a more producer-centric role for the unannounced title. This shift allows him to mentor the team and offer executive oversight, which he finds invigorating and keeps his work dynamic and fresh.

While the development stage of both games remains undisclosed, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is likely more advanced given its public announcement. Speculation abounds about the nature of the second game. It might be a continuation of beloved franchises such as The Last of Us 3 or a new Uncharted title, considering the last new entry was The Lost Legacy in 2017. Alternatively, it could be an entirely new intellectual property, following the footsteps of Intergalactic.

However, the future of this mystery game remains uncertain. Naughty Dog has faced challenges, 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 challenging 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 projects 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. While the game isn't expected to launch until at least 2027, Druckmann shared his enthusiasm with IGN, stating that the game is currently playable at Naughty Dog's offices and described it as "really good" and "incredible." He teased that what has been shown so far is just the tip of the iceberg, hinting at a deep and engaging experience awaiting players.