“We Will Not Be The Last Of Us Studio Forever,” Neil Druckmann Says About Naughty Dog

Naughty Dog executive Neil Druckmann has teased the developer’s future projects, saying the company will likely create something outside the Last of Us universe at some point in the future. Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, Druckmann re-confirmed that Naughty Dog has multiple single-player projects in the works, and, while The Last of Us: Part III may be among them, there will be other games outside that universe.

“I promise you, we will not be The Last of Us studio forever,” he said.

After Naughty Dog canceled The Last of Us Online in 2023, the developer confirmed it had multiple single-player games in development. These games remain unannounced, but Druckmann has strongly suggested one will be The Last of Us: Part III.

“I’ve been thinking–is there a concept there [for The Last of Us 3]? For, now years, I haven’t been able to find that concept. But recently that’s changed,” he said in comments published in 2024. “I don’t have a story. But I do have that concept that is, to me, as exciting as 1, as exciting as 2. As its own thing, and yet has this throughline for all three. So it does feel like there’s probably one more chapter to this story.”

Beyond another entry in The Last of Us series, could Naughty Dog return to the Uncharted series? Don’t get your hopes up for that, as Naughty Dog has said it is “done” with the franchise (though a different team could, of course, make Uncharted 5).

Druckmann is writing and directing a new game, but he can’t say what it is just yet. “I know the fans really want The Last of Us: Part III, I hear about it all the time,” Druckmann said in 2023. “All I can say is that we’re already into our next project, the decision has already been made. I can’t say what it is.”

Some also believe that Naughty Dog might turn its attention to a totally new genre, fantasy, for its next game, which could be a new IP.

Druckmann recently made headlines for calling out the editing of an interview he did with his own company. While Sony removed the interview from its website, Druckmann uploaded his raw, unedited answers, in which he said he is currently working on a “dream” project. He said, “It’s maybe the most excited I’ve been for a project yet.”

Sony’s recent State of Play briefing had no details on any future Naughty Dog games. Many are expecting Sony to conduct its next PlayStation Showcase later this year, and if that happens, it could be a venue for Naughty Dog to announce a new project, but this is just speculation.