Naughty Dog Confirms: No Last of Us Part 3

Naughty Dog’s recent comments suggest the Last of Us video game series might be over. Let's delve into the future of The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.

The Last of Us: No More Sequels?

Naughty Dog's Official Stance

In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted that The Last of Us Part II might be the final entry in the core game series. When asked about a potential The Last of Us Part III, 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 the future of The Last of Us video games, as Naughty Dog shifts focus to other ventures, including expanding the TV series.

Druckmann previously expressed his philosophy on sequels during a DICE Summit 2025 interview with IGN, stating he avoids focusing on sequels while developing a game. He explained, "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 potential sequel ideas were fully explored within Part II. The game's relatively definitive ending further supports this notion. Fans can still look forward to the upcoming The Last of Us Season 2, premiering April 13, 2025.

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 (IP). At The Game Awards 2024, they unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi title slated for PlayStation 5. A short teaser trailer showcased its unique aesthetic. According to the game's official website, development began in 2020, promising a bold and innovative narrative. Further details remain scarce.

The Cancellation of The Last of Us Online

The cancellation of The Last of Us Online paved the way for Intergalactic. In a February 19, 2025 interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida revealed that the online project was scrapped to prioritize Intergalactic. Yoshida explained that advice from Bungie, creators of Destiny, highlighted the significant long-term commitment required for live-service games. He stated, "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 comments, coupled with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, strongly suggest Naughty Dog is shifting away from the franchise, at least for the foreseeable future. However, fans can anticipate the release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered for PC on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, refer to our related article.