Naughty Dog Denies The Last of Us Part 3

Naughty Dog's recent comments suggest the acclaimed Last of Us series might be concluding. Let's delve into the future of the franchise and Naughty Dog's current projects.

The Last of Us: The End of the Line?

Naughty Dog's Hints

The possibility of another Last of Us sequel appears slim, potentially making The Last of Us Part II the final chapter in this iconic post-apocalyptic saga. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at this when asked about The Last of Us Part III, 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 game series, as Naughty Dog shifts focus towards its TV adaptation.

Druckmann previously shared his perspective on game sequels with IGN at the DICE Summit 2025, explaining his aversion to planning sequels prematurely: "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 Part II, 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 suggests that any future Last of Us installments are unlikely, especially given Part II's relatively conclusive ending. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us season 2 on April 13, 2025.

A New Beginning: A Fresh IP

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 unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for the PlayStation 5, a sci-fi title that has been in development since 2020. The teaser trailer showcased its unique sci-fi elements, promising a bold and imaginative narrative. Further details are still awaited.

The Cancellation of The Last of Us Online

Reports previously surfaced regarding the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. Naughty Dog's focus shifted to single-player titles, hinting at a new project at the time. The announcement of Intergalactic confirms this project.

In a February 19, 2025 interview with the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida revealed that The Last of Us Online was cancelled to prioritize Intergalactic's development. He explained that advice from Bungie, creators of Destiny, highlighted the significant commitment required for live-service games, a commitment that would have conflicted with Intergalactic's development. Yoshida stated, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it. 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, coupled with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, strongly suggest that Naughty Dog is currently finished with the Last of Us franchise, at least for the foreseeable future. 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.