Naughty Dog, the creative force behind The Last of Us, may have reached the end of the road with this beloved series. Recent comments from the studio suggest a shift in focus, leaving fans curious about what lies ahead for both The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's future projects.
The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel
This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog
The Last of Us (TLOU) series might conclude with The Last of Us Part II, as indicated by Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann in a recent interview with Variety on March 5, 2025. When questioned about the possibility of a third installment, Druckmann stated, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it." This statement casts a shadow of doubt over the future of the TLOU gaming series, as Naughty Dog seems to be redirecting its efforts toward other projects, including expanding the TV series.
Druckmann has previously discussed his approach to game development in an interview with IGN at the DICE Summit 2025. He emphasized a focus on the present project rather than planning for sequels, saying, "I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game. So when I was making The Last of Us Part II, yeah, sure. Every once in a while an idea pops in your head of where it might go if we get the chance to do another one. But I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’...I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here."
This approach suggests that The Last of Us may not see any further video game sequels, especially considering the conclusive nature of The Last of Us Part II's narrative. However, fans can still look forward to diving deeper into the world of TLOU with the upcoming second season of the TV series, set to premiere on April 13, 2025.
Working On A New IP
While the future of The Last of Us in gaming remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is already forging ahead with a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, the studio unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new sci-fi game in development for the PlayStation 5. A teaser trailer showcased the game's ambitious narrative, and according to its official website, Naughty Dog has been working on this project since 2020. Although details are scarce since the announcement, Intergalactic promises to be a bold and creative venture for the studio.
The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic
Naughty Dog's decision to cancel The Last of Us Online further underscores their shift in focus. This decision was made to prioritize single-player experiences over live-service games, as revealed by former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast on February 19, 2025. Yoshida explained that advice from Bungie, creators of Destiny, highlighted the extensive resources and long-term commitment required for live-service games. This led Naughty Dog to realize that pursuing The Last of Us Online would hinder their ability to develop Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
With Druckmann's statements and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, it appears that Naughty Dog has moved on from the franchise for now. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC on April 3, 2025. For more updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, be sure to check out our detailed article.
