Naughty Dog President Denies The Last of Us Part 3 Development

The future of The Last of Us series remains uncertain as Naughty Dog, its developer, has hinted at possibly concluding the franchise. Dive into the details about what lies ahead for The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.

The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

The Last of Us (TLOU) may not see another sequel, potentially making The Last of Us 2 the final chapter in this acclaimed zombie post-apocalyptic saga. In a recent interview with Variety on March 5, 2025, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann addressed the prospect of The Last of Us 3, 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." These comments cast doubt on the continuation of the TLOU series in the gaming world as Naughty Dog shifts focus to elevate its TV series.

Druckmann has previously shared his philosophy on game sequels. During the DICE Summit 2025 with IGN, he emphasized not planning for sequels while working on a game. 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."

This approach suggests that TLOU may not receive further video game sequels, especially given the conclusive nature of The Last of Us 2's ending. However, fans can still look forward to the next chapter in the story through the upcoming Season 2 of The Last of Us TV series, premiering on April 13, 2025.

Working On A New IP

While the future of TLOU in gaming looks uncertain, Naughty Dog is forging ahead with a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, they unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a new title in development for the PlayStation 5. A teaser trailer showcased its intriguing sci-fi setting. According to the game's official website, Naughty Dog has been crafting this project since 2020, aiming to deliver their most ambitious and creative story to date. Since its announcement, further details about Intergalactic have been sparse.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic

Previously, it was announced that The Last of Us Online had been cancelled, as Naughty Dog decided to concentrate on single-player experiences. In a February 19, 2025 interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida shed light on this decision. He explained that advice from Bungie, the creators of Destiny, regarding the demands of live-service games led Naughty Dog to realize the impracticality of continuing with TLOU Online. Yoshida noted, "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 statements and the cancellation of TLOU Online, it appears Naughty Dog is stepping away from the franchise for now. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us 2 Remastered for PC on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us 2 Remastered, be sure to check out our dedicated article!