Naughty Dog on Challenges of Keeping 'The Last of Us' Sequel Under Wraps

Maintaining Secrecy: Naughty Dog's Challenge with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Naughty Dog CEO Neil Druckmann recently revealed the difficulties in keeping the studio's new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, under wraps. This challenge was amplified by fan frustration over the numerous remasters and remakes released without new titles.

The Burden of Silence

Druckmann confessed to the New York Times that maintaining secrecy for years was "really hard." He acknowledged the online criticism from fans demanding new IPs and expressing weariness with the constant stream of remakes, particularly of The Last of Us. Despite these concerns, the reveal of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet proved a success, garnering over 2 million YouTube views for its launch trailer.

A New Frontier for Naughty Dog

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 assume the role of Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the enigmatic planet Sempiria. Its perilous history has claimed countless explorers, and Jordan must utilize her skills to survive and potentially become the first to return in over 600 years.

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