Naughty Dog Confirms 2 New The Last of Us Projects in Early Development
Neil Druckmann said both projects will expand The Last of Us canon beyond Part I and Part II, but neither has been identified as The Last of Us Part III or given a confirmed format.
Naughty Dog has confirmed that 2 new The Last of Us projects are in very early development, while its current slate includes 3 projects in total. The third is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Studio head Neil Druckmann shared the update in an official message marking the end of The Last of Us Day 2026.
In the message, published on September 28, Druckmann said conversations about the future of the universe began after Grounded II. He described the plans as “a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages” and said both will expand The Last of Us canon beyond The Last of Us Part I and The Last of Us Part II.
Naughty Dog has not named either project or explained its format, story, characters, platforms, release plans, or gameplay details. Druckmann did not specifically describe them as games, so the announcement does not establish what form either project will take.
Naughty Dog is keeping the new projects quiet
The studio is treating the announcement as an early confirmation rather than a full reveal. Druckmann said Naughty Dog would not return to the world of The Last of Us without having something meaningful to say, adding that it believes the stories are worth telling.
“The world of The Last of Us means a great deal to us, and we wouldn’t return to it unless we had something meaningful to say. We believe these stories are worth telling.”
The word “projects” also leaves room for different formats. Naughty Dog has used the term in official materials for The Last of Us Part II and The Last of Us Online, so the announcement does not promise 2 full games. It also does not identify either project as The Last of Us Part III.
Naughty Dog has not shared titles for either project, and Druckmann said the studio will stay quiet for the rest of 2026. Their names and details will therefore have to wait for a later update.
The announcement gives firmer footing to earlier discussion about another chapter, but it does not confirm that either project will continue Ellie and Joel’s story.
Naughty Dog is also developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, whose possible 2027 launch window remains unconfirmed. The studio previously canceled The Last of Us Online in 2023 after concluding that post-launch support would require all of Naughty Dog’s resources.
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