Naughty Dog's recent comments suggest the Last of Us video game saga may be over. Read on to learn about the future of The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.
The Last of Us: No More Sequels?
Naughty Dog's Perspective
The Last of Us Part II might be the final chapter in the acclaimed post-apocalyptic zombie series. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at the possibility of no further Last of Us games, stating, "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 doubt on the future of the Last of Us video game franchise, as Naughty Dog shifts its focus to other endeavors, particularly the Last of Us TV series.
Druckmann previously discussed his approach to game sequels in a DICE Summit 2025 interview with IGN. He explained his preference for focusing on the current project rather than planning 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 suggests that any future Last of Us ideas weren't actively preserved for a potential sequel. The Last of Us Part II's relatively conclusive ending further supports this notion. However, fans can still anticipate the upcoming Season 2 of the Last of Us TV series, premiering April 13, 2025.
A New IP Takes Center Stage
While the future of The Last of Us games remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property (IP). At The Game Awards 2024, they announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PlayStation 5, unveiling a short teaser trailer showcasing its sci-fi setting. According to the game's official website, development began in 2020, promising a unique and ambitious narrative. Further details about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet are yet to be released.
The Cancellation of The Last of Us Online
The cancellation of The Last of Us Online paved the way for Intergalactic. In a February 19, 2025 interview with the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the decision to halt development of The Last of Us Online was made to prioritize Intergalactic. Yoshida explained that advice from Bungie, the creators of Destiny, highlighted the significant long-term commitment required for live-service games, a commitment that conflicted with Naughty Dog's resources and desire to create Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Yoshida stated, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it." He added, "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."
Druckmann's comments, coupled with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, strongly suggest Naughty Dog's current focus is away from the Last of Us franchise. However, fans can look forward to the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, please refer to our related article.
