The Last of Us Dev on Rigors of Secrecy for Latest

Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a secret. Fan frustration over remasters and remakes added to the pressure.

The Difficulty of Secrecy

Druckmann confessed to the New York Times that maintaining secrecy for years during development was "really hard." He acknowledged fan complaints about a lack of new IPs and the abundance of remakes, particularly of The Last of Us. Despite his concerns, the reveal of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet proved successful, garnering over 2 million YouTube views for its announcement trailer.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: Naughty Dog's Latest Adventure

Known for acclaimed franchises like Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and The Last of Us, Naughty Dog expands its portfolio with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Initially teased in 2022, the title was trademarked by Sony Interactive Entertainment in February 2024 and officially unveiled at The Game Awards.

Set in an alternate 1986 with advanced space travel, players take on the role of Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the perilous planet Sempiria. Its enigmatic past claims those who attempt to uncover its secrets. Jordan must use her skills to survive and potentially become the first to return in over 600 years.

Druckmann describes the story as ambitious, focusing on a fictional religion and the consequences of faith in different institutions. He also highlights the game's return to Naughty Dog's action-adventure roots, drawing inspiration from Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).