According to recent comments from Naughty Dog, the developers may be concluding The Last of Us series. Read on to learn more about the future of The Last of Us and the studio's current projects.
The Last of Us May Not Receive Another Sequel
Naughty Dog Suggests This Could Be the End
It appears The Last of Us might not get another sequel, potentially leaving The Last of Us Part II as the final chapter in this acclaimed post-apocalyptic zombie series. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann was questioned about the possibility of The Last of Us Part III.
Druckmann responded, "The only thing I can really say is that you shouldn't expect more from 'The Last of Us.' This might be it." His comments cast doubt on the future of the gaming franchise as Naughty Dog shifts its focus toward expanding the television adaptation.
Druckmann has previously shared his perspective on developing sequels. During the DICE Summit 2025, he told IGN that he avoids thinking about multiple games during development. He elaborated, "I believe you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you start planning a sequel while still working on the first game. While creating The Last of Us Part II, occasional ideas about potential future directions would cross my mind. But I always approached it as if I might never get another opportunity... I don't hold back ideas for later. If something compelling emerges, I do my best to incorporate it into the current project."
This strongly suggests that The Last of Us may not receive further video game installments, especially considering The Last of Us Part II provided a relatively conclusive ending to the narrative. However, fans can still engage with the universe through the upcoming second season of The Last of Us television series, scheduled to premiere on April 13, 2025.
Developing a New Intellectual Property
Even as The Last of Us potentially concludes its gaming journey, Naughty Dog has been developing an entirely new intellectual property. During The Game Awards 2024, the studio announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, currently in development for PlayStation 5.
The announcement featured a brief teaser trailer highlighting the game's science fiction elements. According to the official website, development began in 2020, and the project is shaping up to be the studio's most ambitious and creative narrative to date. Since the initial announcement, Naughty Dog has remained quiet about additional details.
The Last of Us Online Cancelled to Prioritize Intergalactic
Previous reports indicated that The Last of Us Online was cancelled so Naughty Dog could concentrate on single-player experiences, with hints at another project in the works. The revelation of Intergalactic now clarifies what the studio had been teasing.
During a February 19, 2025 appearance on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained that The Last of Us Online was discontinued to allocate resources toward Intergalactic's development. Yoshida mentioned that Destiny creator Bungie counseled Sony executives about the demands of live-service games, emphasizing that such projects require not only successful launch but sustained long-term maintenance.
Yoshida recalled, "The concept for The Last of Us Online originated with Naughty Dog, and they were genuinely excited to create it." He continued, "But after Bungie outlined the realities of developing live-service games, Naughty Dog realized, 'We can't manage this! Pursuing it would mean sacrificing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' This represented a miscalculation in planning."
Considering Druckmann's statements and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, it appears Naughty Dog is stepping away from the franchise, at least temporarily. Nevertheless, fans can anticipate The Last of Us Part II Remastered, launching on PC on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, explore our article below!
