Naughty Dog President Denies The Last of Us Part 3 Development

The future of *The Last of Us* series hangs in the balance as Naughty Dog's comments suggest a potential end to the beloved franchise. Dive into the latest updates on Naughty Dog's projects and what lies ahead for *The Last of Us*.

The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

The Last of Us (TLOU) might not see another sequel, marking The Last of Us Part II as the conclusive chapter in the gripping post-apocalyptic saga. In a revealing interview with Variety on March 5, 2025, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann addressed the possibility of a The Last of Us Part III.

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." These remarks cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of TLOU in the gaming world, as Naughty Dog shifts its focus to elevating the TV series.

Previously, during the DICE Summit 2025, Druckmann shared his perspective on crafting sequels with IGN. He remarked, "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 could signal that TLOU will not receive further video game sequels, especially given the definitive closure of The Last of Us Part II. However, fans can still look forward to the second season of the The Last of Us TV series, set to premiere on April 13, 2025.

Working On A New IP

While the future of TLOU's game series remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is forging ahead with a brand-new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, they unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new title in development for the PlayStation 5.

Accompanied by a teaser trailer that hinted at its sci-fi theme, the game's official website reveals that Naughty Dog has been crafting this ambitious project since 2020. Described as their most creative and daring narrative to date, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet promises to take players on a thrilling journey. Since the announcement, further details have been scarce, leaving fans eagerly anticipating more information.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic

Previously, Naughty Dog had planned to expand the TLOU universe with The Last of Us Online, but the project was ultimately cancelled. The decision was influenced by the studio's desire to focus on single-player experiences and the challenges of maintaining live-service games.

In an interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast on February 19, 2025, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida shed light on the situation. He explained that the advice from Destiny creator Bungie about the demands of live-service games led Naughty Dog to reconsider their plans. Yoshida recounted, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it." He continued, "But Bungie explained what it takes to make live-service games, and Naughty Dog realized, 'Oops, we can't do that! If we do it, we can't make Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' So that was a lack of foresight."

With Druckmann's comments and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, it appears that Naughty Dog is stepping away from the franchise, at least for now. Nonetheless, fans can anticipate the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC on April 3, 2025. Stay tuned to our article below for the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered!