Naughty Dog Rules Out The Last of Us Part 3

The future of The Last of Us game series appears uncertain following recent comments from Naughty Dog leadership. Read on to understand what this means for the franchise and what new projects the studio is currently working on.

The Last Of Us Might Not Get Another Sequel

This Could Be It According To Naughty Dog

The acclaimed zombie survival series might conclude with The Last of Us Part 2, according to Naughty Dog executives. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, studio co-president Neil Druckmann addressed speculation about The Last of Us Part 3.

Druckmann stated: "I'd advise against expecting more Last of Us content. This might be the end." His comments cast doubt on the franchise's gaming future as Naughty Dog shifts focus toward expanding the television adaptation.

The creative director previously shared his philosophy on sequels during the DICE Summit 2025. "Planning multiple sequels upfront tempts fate," Druckmann told IGN. "While working on Part 2, occasional ideas surfaced about potential directions, but I operate under the assumption each project could be our last."

This approach suggests Naughty Dog may not produce additional Last of Us games, especially given Part 2's relatively conclusive ending. Fans can still anticipate Season 2 of HBO's adaptation premiering April 13, 2025.

Working On A New IP

While potentially stepping away from The Last of Us, Naughty Dog revealed ambitious plans for original content. During The Game Awards 2024, the studio announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a PlayStation 5 exclusive in development since 2020.

A brief teaser trailer highlighted the game's science fiction setting, which Naughty Dog describes as its most ambitious narrative project yet. The studio has remained tight-lipped about additional details since the initial announcement.

The Last of Us Online Cancelled To Prioritize Intergalactic

Previous reports about cancelling The Last of Us Online multiplayer project now make more sense following Intergalactic's reveal. Former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained the decision during a February 2025 podcast appearance.

"Bungie's expertise revealed live-service games require ongoing commitment we couldn't sustain while developing Intergalactic," Yoshida told Sacred Symbols+. Naughty Dog initially proposed the multiplayer concept but recognized the resource constraints after consulting Destiny's creators.

With Druckmann's statements and the multiplayer cancellation, Naughty Dog appears ready to leave The Last of Us franchise behind—at least temporarily. Fans can still experience The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered when it launches April 3, 2025 for PC.