Naughty Dog has confirmed that principal filming for the cinematic sequences of its next game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, has wrapped, marking a fresh step forward for the studio's first major original title in years. The announcement, made via the developer's X account, signals a clear move away from its established franchises, The Last of Us and Uncharted, as the studio pushes into new science-fiction territory following the acclaimed success of The Last of Us Part II.

No release date or window has yet been given, but the completion of cinematic filming is traditionally a positive indicator of a game's progress. The Last of Us Part II wrapped its own cinematic shoot roughly a year before launching in 2020, suggesting Intergalactic could plausibly arrive by late next year, though Naughty Dog has described the project as its most ambitious yet, which may extend the timeline towards a 2028 release. The update arrives amid a packed period for major game launches, including Blood of the Dawnwalker, Marvel's Wolverine and Grand Theft Auto 6.