Naughty Dog's recent comments suggest the Last of Us video game series might be concluding. Let's delve into the future of this acclaimed post-apocalyptic franchise.
The Last of Us: No More Sequels?
Naughty Dog's Perspective
In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at the potential end of the Last of Us game series. When asked about The Last of Us Part 3, he responded, "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 future game installments, shifting focus towards the expanding Last of Us TV series.
Druckmann previously expressed his reservations about focusing on sequels during a DICE Summit 2025 interview with IGN. He stated, "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 suggests a deliberate creative approach, prioritizing the current project rather than future sequels. Given The Last of Us Part II's relatively conclusive ending, this stance seems plausible. Fans can still anticipate the April 13, 2025 premiere of The Last of Us season 2.
A New IP Takes Center Stage
While the future of The Last of Us games remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, announced at The Game Awards 2024, is a sci-fi title slated for PlayStation 5. The game, in development since 2020, promises a unique and ambitious narrative. Further details remain scarce.
The Cancellation of The Last of Us Online
The cancellation of The Last of Us Online sheds light on Naughty Dog's strategic shift. In a February 19, 2025 interview with the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the online project was abandoned to prioritize Intergalactic. He cited advice from Bungie, highlighting the significant commitment required for successful live-service games. Yoshida noted, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it." He added, "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 a temporary conclusion to the Last of Us game franchise. However, fans can look forward to the April 3, 2025 PC release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, be sure to check out our related article.
