Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann has confirmed that two new projects set in The Last of Us universe are now in very early development. The news arrived in a closing message on the official Naughty Dog blog published on September 28, 2026, wrapping up the annual The Last of Us Day celebration.
At a glance
- Announcement: two new The Last of Us projects in very early development
- Announced by: studio head Neil Druckmann on the official Naughty Dog blog
- Date: September 28, 2026, closing out The Last of Us Day 2026
- Story scope: both projects expand canon beyond Part I and Part II
- Studio focus: Intergalactic The Heretic Prophet gets a full reveal in 2027
Two new stories set in the Last of Us universe
Druckmann framed the reveal as the answer to a question fans have asked for years, whether more stories will be told in the world of The Last of Us. According to the post, the studio has discussed that possibility openly since the release of the Grounded II documentary, and now two of those ideas have moved into early development. He cautioned that the team can say little at this point, since both projects are in their earliest stages and details remain locked down.
The one firm story detail is scope. Druckmann said both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II, which points to new corners of the setting rather than retreads of Ellie and Abby and Joel and existing arcs. He also restated the quality bar for returning to the franchise, writing that the world means a great deal to the team and that the studio would not revisit it without something meaningful to say. In his words, the team believes these stories are worth telling.
What the projects actually are remains unconfirmed. Naughty Dog has not said whether either one is a mainline game such as a third chapter, a spinoff in the mold of past multiplayer experiments, or something in another format entirely. Independent reporting on the announcement from GameSpot notes the same gap, and adds that fans are unlikely to learn more for some time given how early the work is. For now, the safest reading is that the franchise has a future beyond Part II, but its shape is still being decided.
Intergalactic stays quiet until a full reveal in 2027
The same message carried an update on the project consuming most of the studio right now, the sci-fi title Intergalactic The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann described the team as heads down on what he called the most ambitious game Naughty Dog has attempted to date, and said there is real momentum inside the studio as the pieces come together. The sci-fi project has already attracted attention during its long production, including reports of overtime at the studio tied to the upcoming sci-fi game.
Fans hoping for fresh footage will need to wait. Druckmann asked for a little more time in the oven and set a clear expectation, saying Naughty Dog will stay largely quiet about Intergalactic for the rest of 2026. That silence breaks in 2027, when the studio plans to fully reveal the game and give players a proper look at the sci-fi adventure of its lead Jordan. He closed that section by acknowledging the long wait since the debut nearly two years ago and saying the team is working to make something worthy of that patience.
Charity milestone closed out the celebration
The announcement capped a wider day of festivities. The Last of Us Day falls on September 26, the date the outbreak begins in the lore of the series, and the 2026 edition included a charity livestream, fan giveaways, and new collaborations around the franchise. Druckmann thanked donors directly in his message, noting that the AbleGamers stream had raised 11,000 dollars and counting at the time of writing.
The celebration also pointed at where the series goes from here outside of games. Work on the television adaptation continues, with GameSpot reporting that season 3 of the HBO series is in progress alongside growing involvement from the game cast. Players who want to revisit the story while waiting can experience The Last of Us Part II in chronological order for a fresh take on the second chapter.
Patience is part of the message
Taken together, the closing note asks the community for two kinds of patience. The two new Last of Us projects are real but embryonic, and the studio is holding back detail until there is something concrete to show. Intergalactic has a firmer horizon with its 2027 reveal, yet it too is shielded until the team is ready. That restraint fits a studio that has learned to announce on its own schedule, and Druckmann signed off the way the series always signs off, by telling fans to endure and survive.
Is The Last of Us Part 3 confirmed?
No. Naughty Dog confirmed two new projects set in the universe, but the studio has not said whether either one is a third mainline chapter, a spinoff, or a project in another format.
When will Naughty Dog share more about the two projects?
No timeline was given. Druckmann described both as very early stage efforts with details locked down, so further news is likely a long way off.
What is Intergalactic The Heretic Prophet?
It is Naughty Dog upcoming sci-fi game, described by Druckmann as the most ambitious project in studio history. The team plans a full reveal in 2027 centered on its lead Jordan.
Where can I read the full announcement?
The complete message is published as a closing post for The Last of Us Day on the official Naughty Dog blog, and it also covers the Intergalactic timeline and the charity stream.
How much did the charity stream raise?
Druckmann said donations to AbleGamers had passed 11,000 dollars and were still counting at the time of his post.
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