Naughty Dog Boss: No The Last of Us Part 3 in Development

According to recent comments from Naughty Dog studio president Neil Druckmann, the acclaimed The Last of Us franchise may not see another video game sequel. Read on to learn what this means for the future of the series and discover what new projects the studio is currently focused on.

The Future of The Last of Us Appears Uncertain

Studio Co-President Suggests the Series May Be Complete

Naughty Dog, the developer behind The Last of Us (TLOU), has signaled that a third major game installment might not be in the cards. This would make The Last of Us Part II the final chapter in the celebrated post-apocalyptic series. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, co-president Neil Druckmann was directly asked about the potential for The Last of Us 3.

Druckmann responded, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of 'The Last of Us.' This could be it." This statement casts significant doubt on the series' future in gaming as Naughty Dog shifts its focus toward expanding the live-action television adaptation.

Druckmann has previously shared his philosophy regarding game sequels. Speaking with IGN during the 2025 DICE Summit, he explained that he doesn't typically plan for multiple game entries. "I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game," he said. "So when I was making The Last of Us Part II, sure, ideas would occasionally surface about where the story could go next. But my approach is always, 'what if I never get to do another one?'...I don't save ideas for later. If I have a compelling concept, I do everything I can to incorporate it into the current project."

This mindset strongly suggests that video game sequels for The Last of Us are unlikely, especially given the definitive nature of Part II's conclusion. However, fans can still look forward to the next chapter in the story when Season 2 of The Last of Us TV series premieres on April 13, 2025.

Naughty Dog is Developing a Brand New Franchise

While The Last of Us may not continue as a game series, Naughty Dog is channeling its creative energy into an entirely new intellectual property. During The Game Awards 2024, the studio unveiled its new title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, currently in development for PlayStation 5.

The announcement was accompanied by a short teaser trailer highlighting the game's science-fiction setting. According to the official project website, development has been underway since 2020, and it is shaping up to be the studio's most ambitious and creative narrative to date. Since the initial reveal, Naughty Dog has not shared further details about the game.

Cancellation of The Last of Us Online Paved the Way for Intergalactic

It was previously reported that The Last of Us Online was canceled as Naughty Dog chose to refocus its efforts on single-player experiences, hinting at another project in the works. The announcement of Intergalactic confirmed that this was the project the studio had alluded to.

In a February 19, 2025 interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained that The Last of Us Online was discontinued to allow full resources to be dedicated to Intergalactic's development. Yoshida revealed that Bungie, the creator of Destiny, advised Sony executives on the immense, long-term commitment required for live-service games, which must be both launched and sustained for years.

"The concept for The Last of Us Online originated with Naughty Dog, and they were genuinely passionate about creating it," Yoshida stated. "However, after Bungie outlined the realities of developing and maintaining a live-service title, Naughty Dog realized, 'We can't manage this and also create Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' It was ultimately a matter of resource allocation."

Given Druckmann's recent comments and the cancellation of the online project, it appears Naughty Dog is moving on from The Last of Us franchise, at least for now. Fans can still anticipate the upcoming PC release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on April 3, 2025. For the latest news and details on the remaster, be sure to read our related coverage below.