Naughty Dog's Intergalactic Delayed Past 2026, Druckmann Says 'It's Incredible'

With the anticipation for The Witcher 4 extending into 2027, fans of Naughty Dog will experience a similar wait for the studio's newly announced title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier confirmed on ResetEra that neither game will see a release next year, suggesting that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will also launch no earlier than 2027. This extended timeline raises questions about the game's target platform—whether it will be designed for the PlayStation 5, the forthcoming PlayStation 6, or possibly as a cross-generation title.

If Intergalactic is developed exclusively for the PS6, Naughty Dog might miss out on releasing a new IP during the PS5's lifecycle. So far, the studio has focused on ports, remasters, and remakes for Sony's current-generation console, including The Last of Us Part II, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, The Last of Us Part I, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered.

Naughty Dog unveiled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet at The Game Awards 2024, showcasing a star-studded cast led by Tati Gabrielle from the Uncharted movie as protagonist Jordan A. Mun, and Kumail Nanjiani from Marvel's Eternals as Colin Graves. Fans have dissected the trailer to uncover more of the cast, with a photo hinting at a broader ensemble.

Earlier this month, Neil Druckmann, the director behind The Last of Us, provided deeper insights into Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in an interview with Alex Garland, the writer of the zombie film 28 Days Later. Druckmann revealed that the game has been in development for four years, reflecting on past creative decisions and the reception to The Last of Us Part II. He shared a light-hearted exchange with Garland about moving on to less controversial themes, joking, "Let's do something that people won't care as much about — let's make a game about faith and religion."

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is set in an alternate historical timeline, featuring a significant religion that has evolved over time. The narrative follows a bounty hunter named Jordan A. Mun, who crash-lands on a mysterious planet after all communication with it ceased centuries ago. Druckmann emphasized the game's focus on isolation and discovery, contrasting it with previous Naughty Dog titles where players typically had a constant ally.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Screenshots

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Assuming a 2027 release, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will have been in development for six years. Despite the lengthy wait, Druckmann expressed excitement about the game's progress during an interview at the premiere of The Last of Us Season 2, stating that it's not only playable but "really good." He teased that the gameplay shown so far is just the beginning, with the game offering much deeper experiences.