Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping the studio's new IP under wraps, particularly amidst fan frustration over remasters and remakes. Discover his thoughts and learn more about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet below.

The Difficulty of Secrecy

Druckmann shared the significant difficulty of developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in secrecy for years. He acknowledges the fanbase's growing impatience with remasters and remakes, particularly of The Last of Us, while craving new titles and IPs. "It’s really hard to work on these things in secret and silence for so many years," he told The New York Times. "And then to see our fans go on social media and say, ‘Enough with the remasters and remakes! Where are your new games and new I.P.s?’" Despite these concerns, the game's reveal trailer garnered over 2 million YouTube views, demonstrating significant public interest.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet - Naughty Dog's Latest Adventure

Naughty Dog, renowned for franchises like Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and The Last of Us, expands its portfolio with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Initially teased in 2022, the title was trademarked by Sony Interactive Entertainment in February 2024 and officially unveiled at The Game Awards. Set in an alternate 1986 with advanced space travel, the game casts players as Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the perilous planet Sempiria, a location shrouded in mystery and a history no one has ever returned from exploring. Jordan must use her skills to survive and potentially become the first to escape Sempiria in over 600 years.

Druckmann describes the narrative as ambitious, focusing on a fictional religion and the consequences of faith in various institutions. He also highlights the game's return to Naughty Dog's action-adventure roots, drawing inspiration from Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).