New Game Secrecy Challenged Developer of The Last of Us

Naughty Dog's CEO Neil Druckmann has candidly discussed the challenges of maintaining secrecy around their latest project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, amidst growing fan discontent with remasters and remakes. Dive into Druckmann's insights and learn more about this exciting new IP!

Keeping Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet A Secret

"Really Hard" To Work In Silence

Neil Druckmann, CEO of Naughty Dog, revealed that working on their new project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, in silence for several years was incredibly challenging. He acknowledged the frustration among fans, who have been vocal about their desire for new content beyond the studio's frequent remasters and remakes, particularly of The Last of Us.

"It’s really hard to work on these things in secret and silence for so many years," Druckmann confessed in an interview with 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 IPs?’"

Despite these challenges, the reveal of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was a resounding success, garnering over 2 million views for its announcement trailer on YouTube.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Is Naughty Dog’s Newest

Naughty Dog, the studio behind beloved IPs like Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and The Last of Us, is now expanding its portfolio with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Initially teased in 2022 as a new project, the game's title was trademarked by Sony Interactive Entertainment in February 2024 and officially unveiled at this year's The Game Awards. Set in an alternate 1986 where space travel is advanced, Intergalactic invites players to explore the depths of space.

In this new title, players assume the role of Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the mysterious planet Sempiria, known for its enigmatic history from which no one has ever returned. Jordan must use her skills and ingenuity to survive and potentially become the first person in over 600 years to return from this foreboding world.

"The story is quite ambitious, centering on a fictitious religion and what happens when you put your faith in different institutions," Druckmann explained about the game. He also noted that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will mark a "return to Naughty Dog’s roots in the action-adventure genre," drawing inspiration from classics like the 1988 film Akira and the 1990 anime series Cowboy Bebop.