Naughty Dog's recent comments suggest the Last of Us video game series might be concluding. 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 may be the final chapter in the acclaimed zombie saga. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at the possibility of no further sequels, 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 in gaming, as Naughty Dog focuses on its TV series.
Druckmann previously shared his approach to game sequels with IGN at the DICE Summit 2025, explaining he avoids focusing on sequels during development. He stated, "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."
Given The Last of Us Part II's relatively conclusive ending, Druckmann's comments suggest no further video game sequels are planned. Fans can still anticipate the upcoming Season 2 of the Last of Us TV series, premiering April 13, 2025.
A New Intellectual Property
While the future of The Last of Us game series remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. 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, and it promises to be Naughty Dog's most ambitious and creative project yet. Further details are currently awaited.
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 online project was discontinued to prioritize Intergalactic's development. Yoshida explained that advice from Bungie (creators of Destiny) regarding the long-term commitment required for live-service games led Naughty Dog to reconsider their approach. 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 statements, combined with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, strongly suggest Naughty Dog is currently finished with the Last of Us franchise. However, fans can look forward to the PC release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, check out our related article!
