The future of The Last of Us series is in question, as Naughty Dog's recent statements suggest they may be moving on from the beloved franchise. Dive deeper to discover what's next for The Last of Us and what Naughty Dog has in store.

The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

The Last of Us (TLOU) may have reached its conclusion with The Last of Us Part II, marking the end of the iconic post-apocalyptic saga. In an interview with Variety on March 5, 2025, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann addressed the possibility 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 doubt on the future of TLOU in the gaming world, as Naughty Dog shifts focus towards enhancing the TV series.

Druckmann's approach to game development was further elucidated during the DICE Summit 2025 with IGN. He shared, "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 philosophy suggests that The Last of Us might not see further sequels, especially given the conclusive nature of The Last of Us Part II. Nonetheless, fans can look forward to the second season of the The Last of Us TV series, set to premiere on April 13, 2025.

Working On A New IP

While the future of TLOU's gaming series remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. Announced at The Game Awards 2024, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is in the works for the PlayStation 5. The announcement was accompanied by a teaser trailer highlighting its sci-fi theme. According to the game's official website, development began in 2020, and it promises to be Naughty Dog's most ambitious and creative narrative to date. However, since its announcement, further details about Intergalactic have been scarce.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic

Previously, Naughty Dog announced the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, shifting their focus towards single-player experiences. This decision was influenced by advice from Bungie, creators of Destiny, who emphasized the extensive resources required to maintain live-service games. In a February 19, 2025, interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it." He continued, "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 remarks and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, it appears that Naughty Dog is stepping away from the The Last of Us franchise for now. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on April 3, 2025, for PC. Stay tuned for more updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered by checking out our related article!