Naughty Dog President Confirms No Last of Us Part 3

The future of The Last of Us (TLOU) franchise appears uncertain following recent statements from Naughty Dog. Fans of the acclaimed zombie post-apocalypse series may be disappointed to learn that a sequel, The Last of Us Part 3, might not be on the horizon. In an interview with Variety on March 5, 2025, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at the possibility of the series concluding with The Last of Us Part 2. When asked about a potential third installment, Druckmann 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 a shadow of doubt over the future of TLOU in the gaming world, as Naughty Dog shifts focus towards expanding the TV series.

Druckmann has previously shared his philosophy on game development, emphasizing a focus on the present rather than future sequels. During the DICE Summit 2025 with IGN, 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 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 approach suggests that TLOU may not see further video game sequels, especially given the conclusive nature of The Last of Us Part 2's ending. However, fans can still look forward to the second season of The Last of Us TV series, set to premiere on April 13, 2025.

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

Working On A New IP

While the future of TLOU in gaming remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is not slowing down. At The Game Awards 2024, the studio announced their new project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi game for the PlayStation 5. The announcement was accompanied by a teaser trailer that showcased the game's innovative elements. According to the official website, Naughty Dog has been developing this ambitious title since 2020, promising a story that could be their most creative yet. Although details are scarce, the anticipation for Intergalactic continues to build.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Give Way To Intergalactic

In a strategic move, Naughty Dog cancelled The Last of Us Online to prioritize their new IP. This decision was influenced by advice from Bungie, the creators of Destiny, who emphasized the long-term commitment required for live-service games. In an interview on the Sacred Symbols+ podcast on February 19, 2025, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained, "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 remarks and the cancellation of TLOU Online, it seems Naughty Dog is ready to move on from the franchise, at least for now. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered for PC on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, be sure to check out our related article.