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

Naughty Dog's Neil Druckmann has recently disclosed that the studio is simultaneously working on a secret, unannounced game in addition to their already announced project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In a revealing interview on the Press X to Continue podcast, Druckmann shared insights into his multifaceted roles within the Sony-owned studio. For Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, he collaborates closely with game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, and co-writes the narrative with Claire Carré. However, he kept details about the director of the second game under wraps.

Druckmann described his role in the second game as more of a producer, allowing him to mentor and oversee the development 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 enthusiasm for juggling these diverse 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."

While Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is public and likely further along in development, the nature of the second game remains a mystery. Speculation abounds, with fans wondering if it could be The Last of Us 3. Although Druckmann has previously expressed doubts about making another installment, he has hinted at an envisioned ending. Given his producer role on the mystery project, it seems less likely to be The Last of Us 3, as one might expect him to take a more directorial role for such a significant title.

Another possibility is a new entry in the Uncharted series, considering the last original game was released in 2017 with The Lost Legacy. Alternatively, it could be an entirely new intellectual property, much like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

It's important to acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding this second game. Naughty Dog has faced challenges in recent years, notably canceling The Last of Us Online in December 2023 to refocus on single-player experiences. Historically, the studio has struggled with simultaneous development of two major titles, often prioritizing one over the other. The last new game from Naughty Dog was The Last of Us 2 in 2020, followed by remakes and collections.

As for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, it boasts a star-studded cast including Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie and Kumail Nanjiani from Marvel's Eternals. Although not expected to launch until 2027 at the earliest, Druckmann shared his excitement about the project during an interview on the red carpet at the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2. He teased that the game is already playable and "really good," promising that the showcased gameplay is just "the very, very, very tip of the iceberg."