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

Naughty Dog's creative director, Neil Druckmann, has disclosed that the studio is quietly developing a second, unannounced game alongside the already-revealed Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. In a recent chat on the Press X to Continue podcast, Druckmann shared insights into his multifaceted roles at Sony's Naughty Dog. For Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, he collaborates with game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, while co-writing with narrative director Claire Carré. However, he remained tight-lipped about who is helming the mystery project.

"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," Druckmann explained. He finds joy in juggling these diverse roles, which keep his job dynamic and engaging. "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 has been publicly announced and is presumably more advanced in its development, the nature and progress of the second game remain shrouded in mystery. Speculation abounds regarding what this project might be. Could it be the much-anticipated The Last of Us 3? Druckmann has previously expressed doubts about the feasibility of creating another installment, yet he has hinted at having an ending in mind. However, his role as a producer on the new game suggests it might not be the next chapter in the The Last of Us saga, given his likely desire for a more hands-on directorial position for such a pivotal project.

Another possibility is a new entry in the Uncharted series, absent a fresh title since 2017's The Lost Legacy. Or perhaps Naughty Dog is crafting an entirely new intellectual property, much like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

It's important to note that there's no guarantee this second game will see the light of day or be officially unveiled by Sony. Naughty Dog has faced challenges in recent years, including the cancellation of its ambitious The Last of Us multiplayer project in December 2023 to focus on single-player experiences. Historically, the studio has struggled to manage two major projects simultaneously, often prioritizing one over the other. Since the release of The Last of Us Part II in 2020, Naughty Dog has primarily released remakes and collections.

As for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, it boasts a star-studded cast, including Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie as protagonist Jordan A. Mun, and Kumail Nanjiani of Marvel's Eternals as Colin Graves. The game isn't expected to launch until at least 2027, but Druckmann has teased that it's already playable and "really good." Speaking to IGN at the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, he expressed excitement about showcasing the gameplay and revealing more about the game's depth.