World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Naughty Dog develops two new projects expanding The Last of Us canon
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Naughty Dog says it is working on two new projects in the world of The Last of Us, both at a very early stage. Studio head Neil Druckmann said they would expand the series’ canon beyond Parts 1 and 2, but did not identify their format or confirm a third game; he said the studio would return only if it had meaningful stories to tell.
The projects were announced on The Last of Us Day, which also included a Ghost of Yōtei armour set, PlayStation avatars and discounts on the games’ PC versions. Their release is not guaranteed: Naughty Dog previously cancelled a multiplayer game after years of work. The studio is also making Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and plans to reveal it fully in 2027, after keeping quiet about it for the rest of 2026.
- Sources
- 6
- Outlets
- 6
- Left · Centre · Right
- 0 · 0 · 0
In short
- Naughty Dog has two early-stage projects expanding The Last of Us canon.
- Their format and release remain uncertain.
- Intergalactic is due for a full reveal in 2027.
How this story developed
- 2 months ago The studio has reaffirmed that the two Last of Us projects remain in very early development with an uncertain future, referencing its history of project cancellations as precedent for potential delays or abandonment.
- 2 months ago Naughty Dog has acknowledged the extended development period since Intergalactic's 2024 announcement and expressed gratitude to players for their patience as development concludes towards the 2027 reveal.
- 2 months ago The Last of Us Day celebrations included a Ghost of Yōtei armour set, PlayStation avatars and discounts on PC versions, and Naughty Dog's previous cancellation of a multiplayer project indicates these new ventures may not reach completion.
- 2 months ago The studio has released new artwork for Intergalactic depicting protagonist Jordan with her distinctive sword overlooking a woodland landscape consumed by crimson alien matter and has committed to remaining silent about the game for the remainder of 2026.
- 2 months ago Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will not be fully revealed until 2027, potentially leaving the Last of Us projects' details uncertain for several years.
- 2 months ago Naughty Dog has announced two new projects set in The Last of Us universe that are in early development and will expand the series' canon beyond Parts I and II, though their format remains unspecified.
- Push Square New The Last of Us Projects in ‘Very Early Stages’ of Development
- Destructoid Rare Naughty Dog update confirms 2 new The Last of Us projects, no Intergalactic updates at all this year
- Eurogamer Naughty Dog confirms two more The Last of Us projects are in the works, won't show off Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet until 2027
- GameSpot Naughty Dog Is Working On Two New The Last Of Us Projects
- GamesRadar+ New Last of Us projects have stories "worth telling," Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann promises
- Polygon Naughty Dog Has Two The Last of Us Projects in Development
Full account
Naughty Dog has formally confirmed the existence of two new projects situated within The Last of Us universe, with the announcements delivered by studio head Neil Druckmann during celebrations marking The Last of Us Day. The fictional outbreak date of 26 September was marked by relatively modest festivities, with the substantive news unveiling reserved for Druckmann's address on the evening of 27 September.
Both projects remain in their nascent conceptual phases, positioned to broaden the established lore beyond the narratives explored in Parts I and II. Druckmann deliberately withheld extensive particulars, refraining from clarifying whether these endeavours would materialise as sequels or indeed as interactive entertainment. The creative director stressed that returning to this universe would only occur if the studio possessed tales of genuine substance to convey, stating his conviction that such stories warrant telling.
Concurrently, Druckmann disclosed that the studio's forthcoming science-fiction bounty-hunter-themed title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, would remain absent from public view throughout the remainder of 2026, with a full presentation scheduled for 2027. He characterised the project as destined to constitute Naughty Dog's most ambitious undertaking, acknowledging the protracted interval since Intergalactic's initial presentation at The Game Awards in 2024 and expressing appreciation for sustained audience patience.
The revelation arrives more than six years following the release of Part II in 2020, breaking an extended silence on mainline franchise developments. Though Druckmann deliberately avoided explicitly categorising the projects as games—a rhetorical choice prompting industry conjecture—the announcement provides franchise devotees reassurance that the world will be revisited with intentional purpose, whether through traditional sequels or alternative narrative vehicles.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
Source 1 explicitly foregrounds Druckmann's strategic ambiguity regarding the projects' medium, whilst Source 2 offers editorial speculation that they are likely games whilst acknowledging the unclear language
Source 1 frames the announcement within broader studio developments affecting multiple intellectual properties; Source 2 concentrates primarily on The Last of Us with reader commentary questioning genre classifications
Source 1 emphasises the six-year content drought and player patience metrics; Source 2 focuses more on speculative possibilities regarding character selection, geographical settings and thematic direction
Source 1 presents the news as mixed developments requiring patience; Source 2 adopts a more exploratory tone inviting audience speculation about creative direction
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A strong case for expanding The Last of Us universe recognises that beloved fictional worlds can sustain meaningful new stories that enrich the wider narrative landscape without diminishing the originals. Naughty Dog's stated commitment to develop projects only when "meaningful new stories justify expansion" demonstrates creative restraint rather than mere commercial opportunism. The franchise has demonstrated capacity for nuanced storytelling across multiple mediums, and audiences evidently welcome thoughtful additions to established universes. New projects need not compromise the legacy of Parts I and II, and may instead offer fresh perspectives, underexplored characters, and thematic extensions that deepen fans' engagement with the world.
The case against
A thoughtful case for preserving the franchise's current scope holds that The Last of Us Parts I and II told complete, emotionally resonant narratives whose integrity risks dilution through endless expansion. When beloved properties are perpetually extended, even with good intentions, they risk franchise fatigue and the creeping sense of commercial exploitation that can alienate devoted audiences. The creative talent and resources devoted to new Last of Us projects might instead generate entirely original intellectual property and stories, which challenge artists and serve audiences seeking fresh narratives rather than incremental additions to existing ones. There is profound artistic merit in knowing when a story is finished and allowing it to remain a definitive artistic statement rather than a perpetually evolving universe.
Explained simply
The Last of Us is a video game franchise that started in 2013, telling stories set in a post-apocalyptic world transformed by a fungal pandemic. Since then, it has expanded beyond games to include a television series that premiered in 2023.
Naughty Dog, an American studio renowned for narrative-driven games, created and developed the franchise. The studio produced the original game and its sequel, The Last of Us Part II, and has maintained a cautious approach to further expansion of the universe.
The franchise has built a substantial following across both gaming and television, and announcements about new Last of Us content attract keen interest from fans and industry observers. This level of attention reflects the cultural significance the series has achieved.
Coverage · 6 sources
- DestructoidRare Naughty Dog update confirms 2 new The Last of Us projects, no Intergalactic updates at all this year
- Push SquareNew The Last of Us Projects in ‘Very Early Stages’ of Development
- EurogamerNaughty Dog confirms two more The Last of Us projects are in the works, won't show off Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet until 2027
- GameSpotNaughty Dog Is Working On Two New The Last Of Us Projects
- GamesRadar+New Last of Us projects have stories "worth telling," Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann promises
- PolygonNaughty Dog Has Two The Last of Us Projects in Development
Americas Art Celebrity Culture Entertainment Gaming Software Technology