The future of The Last of Us series remains uncertain following recent statements from Naughty Dog. Dive deeper to understand what lies ahead for this iconic franchise and explore Naughty Dog's current projects.
The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel
This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog
It appears that The Last of Us (TLOU) series may conclude with The Last of Us Part II, as suggested by Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann. In a revealing interview with Variety on March 5, 2025, Druckmann addressed the prospect of a third installment, 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 a shadow over the future of TLOU in gaming, while Naughty Dog shifts focus to expanding the TV series.
Druckmann's philosophy on game development further supports the notion that TLOU might not see another sequel. During the DICE Summit 2025, he shared with IGN, "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 2, 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."
With The Last of Us Part II providing a definitive ending, it seems unlikely that the series will continue in video game form. However, fans can look forward to the second season of The Last of Us TV series, set to premiere on April 13, 2025.
Working On A New IP
Despite the uncertain future of TLOU, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, the studio unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PlayStation 5. A teaser trailer highlighted the game's sci-fi theme, and according to its official website, development has been underway since 2020. This project promises to be one of Naughty Dog's most ambitious and creative endeavors to date, although further details remain scarce.
The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic
Naughty Dog's decision to cancel The Last of Us Online reflects their commitment to single-player experiences and paves the way for Intergalactic. In a February 19, 2025, interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained the cancellation. He noted that Bungie, creators of Destiny, advised Sony on the challenges of live-service games, which require long-term maintenance. Yoshida said, "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."
With Druckmann’s comments and the cancellation of TLOU Online, it appears Naughty Dog is shifting away from the franchise, at least temporarily. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on PC, scheduled for April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, check out our comprehensive article below!
