Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann closed out this year’s The Last of Us Day with a pair of significant updates, teasing two new, unannounced projects set to expand the franchise’s story while confirming that the studio’s next original title, the sci-fi Intergalactic: The Heretic Project, will receive a full reveal in 2027. In a blog post published on the studio’s official site, Druckmann addressed the status of Naughty Dog’s current lineup, offering fans their first concrete details on what comes next for the studio behind two of gaming’s most acclaimed series.
The post, which Druckmann wrote to thank supporters for their contributions to the charity event, first acknowledged the fundraising success of The Last of Us Day. Fans helped raise more than $11,000 for AbleGamers, an organization that helps people with disabilities access gaming. With that gratitude expressed, Druckmann turned to the more substantive matter of the studio’s upcoming work.
Two New The Last of Us Projects in Early Development
On The Last of Us itself, Druckmann built on comments he made recently, when he suggested the studio was “not done” with the franchise. He clarified that position by confirming the team is working on two separate TLOU projects, though he stopped short of revealing whether either will take the form of a traditional game.
“We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages – so we can’t say much about them at this point,” Druckmann wrote. “I will tell you that both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II. The world of The Last of Us means a great deal to us, and we wouldn’t return to it unless we had something meaningful to say. We believe these stories are worth telling.”
The language suggests that both projects will slot into the established timeline rather than serve as spin-offs, though Druckmann deliberately left the door open on format. The studio’s insistence that it would only return to the world “unless we had something meaningful to say” echoes the same creative bar Naughty Dog set ahead of the 2020 release of The Last of Us Part II.
Intergalactic Set for a 2027 Reveal
The second half of Druckmann’s post focused on Intergalactic: The Heretic Project, the sci-fi title that Naughty Dog has long hinted at but never shown in detail. The studio kept the game off the schedule for the final months of the year, a silence Druckmann framed as deliberate rather than a sign of trouble. He pointed to 2027 as the moment the studio will finally lift the veil.
“Naughty Dog will stay quiet for the few remaining months of this year, but in 2027, that changes. We’ll fully reveal Intergalactic: The Heretic Project and give you a proper look at Jordan’s wild sci-fi adventure.”
Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog
Druckmann described the title as Naughty Dog’s most ambitious project to date and asked fans for their patience, an apparent nod to those frustrated by the game’s no-show at the recent Sony State of Play.
“There’s an electricity around the studio right now as all the pieces come together, and we’re stoked to finally unveil Intergalactic in all its glory. But…we need to cook for just a little bit longer.”
Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog
A Quiet Studio Promises Future Payoff
Druckmann closed his message with a direct acknowledgment of the studio’s quiet recent history and a promise of future payoff.
“We know it’s been a long time since we’ve had much to share with you. We don’t take your continued support for granted. We’re working incredibly hard to make something worthy of your patience.”
Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog
The updates arrive at a busy moment for The Last of Us as a whole. Beyond Naughty Dog’s own projects, the HBO television adaptation of the franchise is expected to wrap up with its upcoming third season, bringing the story told so far to a close on screen while the video games continue to explore new territory.
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