Naughty Dog President Debunks The Last of Us Part 3 Rumors

The developers behind The Last of Us may be ready to move on from the iconic series, as indicated by recent statements from Naughty Dog. Learn more about the future of The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.

The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

The Last of Us (TLOU) might not see another sequel, marking The Last of Us Part 2 as the potential conclusion to the acclaimed post-apocalyptic saga. In a March 5, 2025, interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann addressed the possibility of a third installment, 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 suggests a possible end to TLOU’s gaming future as Naughty Dog shifts focus to expanding the franchise's television adaptation.

Druckmann has shared his approach to game development in past discussions, notably during the DICE Summit 2025 with IGN. He emphasized not planning sequels while working on a game, saying, "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 philosophy could mean no more video game sequels for TLOU, especially given the conclusive nature of The Last of Us Part 2's narrative. However, fans can still dive into the world of The Last of Us with the upcoming second season of the TV series, premiering on April 13, 2025.

Working On A New IP

While the future of TLOU games remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, they unveiled "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet," a sci-fi adventure for the PlayStation 5. A teaser trailer hinted at the game's ambitious scope, and according to the official website, Naughty Dog has been crafting this project since 2020. Although details are scarce, it promises to be their most imaginative story yet.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic

Naughty Dog's shift in focus was further highlighted by the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. In a February 19, 2025, interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained that the project was discontinued to prioritize the development of Intergalactic. Yoshida revealed that advice from Destiny creator Bungie about the long-term maintenance required for live-service games influenced Naughty Dog's decision. He 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."

With Druckmann's statements and the cancellation of TLOU Online, it appears Naughty Dog is stepping away from the franchise, at least for now. However, fans can look forward to The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, set to release on April 3, 2025, for PC. Stay updated with the latest on The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered by checking out our article below!