Naughty Dog Confirms Two Active Projects: Teases A New Game Beyond Intergalactic

The famous studio Naughty Dog, which made The Last of Us and Uncharted, is now working on several high-profile projects at once. Neil Druckmann, studio co-president and recent guest on the Press X to Continue podcast, confirmed that Naughty Dog is working on at least two games right now, one of which has not been announced at all.

The first one, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, looks like a big project. Druckmann said that game directors Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau, along with co-writer Claire Kiechel, are working with him on this project. Druckmann said, "There are times when I'm not there and they are in charge." "Sometimes I enjoy the choices they made when I get back, and other times I want to pull out my hair over them."

The second project, on the other hand, is still a mystery. Druckmann said that he is acting more like a producer on this one, helping to guide a separate group of developers while giving them feedback and keeping an eye on things as an executive. He said, "I like all of those roles." "My job is always fun and new because I jump from one to the next." "I'm never bored."

Druckmann didn't say anything specific about the unannounced game, but his words make it sound like it's in good hands. It's thought that veterans like Shaun Escayg (Uncharted: The Lost Legacy) and Anthony Newman (The Last of Us Part II) are working on it, which has led to rumors that this project could bring back a beloved franchise or start a whole new one.

The progress made on Intergalactic and this new project also shows how the leadership at Naughty Dog has changed significantly. Druckmann admitted that the directors' choices don't always match up with his own, which can cause creative disagreements. But he also stressed how important it is to let new ideas grow.

Many people say that Neil created some of the best game stories, but the podcast host said, "There's value in letting new minds contribute." He talked about how new ideas can lead to critical and commercial success by comparing it to God of War Ragnarök, where Cory Barlog gave up directing duties to Eric Williams.

He also said, "This isn't about giving the keys to rookies." "These are industry veterans with strong voices as artists." They should be able to grow and take charge.

The community is already buzzing with rumors about the unannounced project. It could be a continuation of Uncharted Remake and the return of Nathan Drake, the long-awaited return of Jak and Daxter, or something completely new. Or it could be The Last of Us Part III, as the development is in its final phase. Fans do agree on one thing, though: they hope it's not another live-service game since PlayStation has had mixed results with that format so far.

As Naughty Dog starts a new era, balancing tradition with new ideas, the way the studio works with others and helps creative people grow could influence how games tell stories in the future.