The Last of Us Developer Says It Was Hard To Keep Its New Game A Secret

Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping the studio's new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, under wraps, particularly amidst fan frustration over remakes and remasters. Let's delve into his comments and explore this exciting new title.

The Difficulty of Secrecy

Druckmann admitted to the New York Times that maintaining secrecy for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet over several years was "really hard." He acknowledged the growing fan discontent regarding the studio's focus on re-releases instead of new IPs, particularly in light of the numerous Last of Us remakes. He stated, "It’s really hard to work on these things in secret and silence for so many years...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 I.P.s?’"

Despite these concerns, the game's reveal garnered significant attention, boasting over 2 million views on YouTube for its launch trailer.

Naughty Dog's Latest Adventure: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Known for acclaimed franchises like Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and The Last of Us, Naughty Dog expands its portfolio with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Initially teased in 2022, the title was trademarked by Sony Interactive Entertainment in February 2024 and officially unveiled at The Game Awards.

Set in an alternate 1986 with advanced space travel, players assume the role of Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the perilous planet Sempiria, a place shrouded in mystery and a history no one has ever returned from exploring. Jordan must utilize her skills to survive and potentially become the first to escape Sempiria in over 600 years.

Druckmann described the narrative as "quite ambitious," focusing on a fictional religion and the consequences of faith in various institutions. He also highlighted the game's return to Naughty Dog's action-adventure roots, drawing inspiration from Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).