While it was never really in doubt, Neil Druckmann has confirmed he’s writing and directing an unannounced PS5 game. Shuffles within Naughty Dog’s executive ranks recently saw The Last of Us creator promoted to co-studio head, but it looks like he’s going to retain a highly creative role within the company, as he turns his attention to the developer’s next project.
There’s strong speculation that this will be The Last of Us: Part 3, but there’s also been talk of new intellectual property being in the pipeline at the Californian company. Obviously, it’s been over three years since The Last of Us: Part II launched, and while the team’s remade the original game and a TV show in the interim, it sounds like its long-anticipated standalone multiplayer spin-off has gone back to the drawing board.
Exactly how long it’s going to take for Naughty Dog to put out something new is still very much up in the air, but with PS5 development cycles increasing, we reckon it’s probably going to take a while for this new title to emerge.
[source instagram.com]
Comments 47
Next he’ll tell us he can juggle while writing at the same time
TLoU came out in June 2013 (5 months before PS4), TLoU 2 came out in June 2020 (5 months before PS5) so I'd guess TLoU 3 releases in June 2028 (5 months before PS6).
Probably The Last of Us: Part II: Director’s Cut.
My guess is Kurt Margenau is directing a new IP that will release hopefully soon and Neil is working on TLOU3 (& TLOU S2/S3)
@KAIRU I hope they put more effort in it the RDR.
Hopefully it is a new ip. There hasn’t been an brand new 1st party ip on ps5 yet (aka not another sequel to another established series)
New IP please. Bored of all of these re-releases, Remasters and sequels.
Lets gooooooo
Something fresh please
@PlayStationGamer3919 did you forget Returnal exists? Destruction All-Stars?
@PlayStationGamer3919 Returnal?
I'd take The Last of Us: Part III over yet another re-release (aka PS5 release of The Last of Us: Part II). A PS5 version of Part II like they did with Part I is inevitable, but it'd be even worse if that would be the unannounced game. That would mean that Naughty Dog, PlayStation's flagship studio before Insomniac took over, have essentially worked on nothing worthwhile ever since Part II originally released. Yes, I am dismissing the multiplayer game because I could care less about a multiplayer game from such an important single player developer.
Regardless, that would be far worse than them not working on another new IP because it would mean Naughty Dog has turned into a complete waste. Of course I would love a new IP as well, but getting a brand new single player game of any sort from Naughty Dog is the most important thing imo.
Which Hollywood genre from 10 years ago is he going to pastiche now?
New IP first, then towards the end of generation Part III. C'mon! Also Insomniac really puts shame on these 1st party studios in terms of quality output number.
Great studio but they are getting slower and slower in their output. Please do a Insomniac.
I won't hate because eventhough I disagree with a lot of stuff he's said and think he comes off as an arrogant a-hole, he has made a lot of games I really enjoy. Even TLoU II, while the main story was unoriginal, pretentious garbage, I loved exploring the world, the back stories that each building seemed to contain and the gameplay itself, particularly combat, was a huge step up from TLoU 1. It's possibly the best Naughty Dog has ever made just from a pure gameplay perspective. So, while the studio is far from my favorite these days, and I would have zero interest in TLoU 3, if it's a new IP, I'll be intrigued especially after some fairly recent comments Druckmann made. Seems like he could be entertaining stepping out of his comfort zone and that'd be a great thing. Naughty Dog has always been at its best when trying something new.
@Tielo
Sadly I feel like we could say this about a lot of studios that used to have great turn around time on games. Sucker Punch and Rockstar have been putrid of late with their output. In the former's case it's especially disappointing because that's my favorite Sony studio. Like every Sucker Punch game I've played but it takes forever and a day to get a new release from SP since the PS4 era.
@theMEGAniggle @Rob_230 I forgot about them. It’s been a long time for a new ip from naughty dog.
TLoU Part3 will explain that Part2 was Ellie’s fever dream. And Joels still alive.
@PlayStationGamer3919 Also Destruction All Stars. And if you want a quality new IP PS Studios game, also check out Tren in Dreams. It's brilliant.
There are a lot of confirmed upcoming new IPs: Cory Barlog Game, New Bend IP, Fairgame$, Destruction AllStars, Concord, New Housemarque IP, New Media Molecule IP.
Sony doesn't publish an extreme amount of games, but I wouldn't say that they're only doing sequels. I think they're doing more new IPs than most publishers.
I'd love to see a new IP that has the same level of detail and depth that went into TLoU2 as well as the great storytelling of Naughty Dog games but lately, I've just been craving some more Uncharted-esque fun.
I'd love to see what they would be able to accomplish with a new Uncharted game built specifically for the new gen of PlayStation.
@PlayStationGamer3919 it's been way too long! But that's due to their success. U1, U2 & U3 were back to back to back and I think the majority of their fans would rather see them finish a story than keep it hanging for a few years.
And then factor in the development times for full games and it's really no wonder why they'd rather work on sequels than new IPs. Imagine TLOU 3 releasing over 10 years later part 2. Don't think Sony or ND would want that
@theMEGAniggle I agree. It’s best to get tlou3 made and be done with the franchise so they can move on to an great new ip
Mr. Druckmann is a talented writer and I’m glad to hear something definitive is coming down the pipeline. My money is on TLoU3 but I welcome a surprise.
Uncharted: Cassie Drake
@Gamer83 Pretty much agree with all you said, I really want it to be a new IP after TLOU2 since that put such a bad taste in my mouth. Also with games taking as long as they are I honestly just want devs to be making new IPs instead of sequel after sequel(Which is why I'm hoping Santa Monica Studios next game is new).
For a second, I though the text below is "also ruining the company".
I hope nd make a new game rather than a sequel, and get better writer than their last game (tlou 2).
@Nepp67
Yeah, at least from the studios that are slower putting games out I'd rather see new IP. Of course there are always exceptions and for me that's Capcom and Resident Evil. RE is my favorite franchise, so I hope we keep getting sequels. Would also love a Code Veronica remake (the last in the series that truly needs to be remade).
So hope it isn't TLoU3. Sure, that will come too but please something else first.
Next gen finally will start when first ND game comes out
If it's Last of us 3 I fear I'll be losing it with Sony a bit. No new IPs outside of live services, nothing really on the horizon. Not sure what's going on over there? Seems like it just been spiderman 2 forever.
@PlayStationGamer3919 Returnal?
My guess is that Neil Druckmann's game is The Last of Us Part III. Sony is likely going all in on The Last of Us. Naughty Dog does have a new IP in the works that is rumored to be an open-world (sci-fi?) RPG. I just hope they release something before 2026.
Hopefully we'll get something different. I love TLOU series, but I just want something fresh. Would love to see ND make a boomer shooter.
@PlayStationGamer3919 you see the vision. Hopefully it goes TLOU3 or a new IP releasing within a short period of each other then Factions (if its ever going to release)
Take your time.
Removed - offensive remarks
I don´t know why, but I can´t stand that guy. Also, I´m tired of The Last of Us.
I used to love Naughty Dog, but it seems that nowadays they are a one franchise company. I´m almost sure the game is The Last of Us 3, they wont do a Game of Thrones with the franchise and let the tv series story surpass the games (in GOT case, books).
Good for Sony I guess, The Last of Us brings them money, and good for the fans.
But I really really wished that it would be or a new Uncharted or a new IP. Hope to be wrong.
Sorry for the negative comment on a Naughty Dog post, I guess it´s because it was my favourite company in previous years.
I prefer his directing over his writing
@Gbarsotini Agreed. I love TLOU but I have franchise fatigue. It would be sweet if they tried something new but understandable when they don’t. Also, Druckmann rubs me the wrong way as well. Maybe it’s just better when developers don’t have pseudo celebrity.
more likely than not it is the last of us 3. get that story over with already so that we can see a new ND ip when the ps6 rolls around. i just find it hard to believe that ND could work on factions, last of us 3 and a new IP at the same time... so something has to give. if factions gets cancelled, then i suppose that changes things. i wouldn't shed a tear if that was the case since ND has become boring and predictable.
In regard to some of the comments I’ve seen about upcoming games:
By this point it feels like PlayStation’s slogan needs to be Greatness awaits, and waits and waits.
@KAIRU that wouldn’t be a new game would it?
@Gbarsotini you make no sense??? You’ve gone off Naughty Dog as they’ve become a one franchise company but you want them to drop TLOU an make a 6th Uncharted game??? A game they already said is finished.
@Backagen I’m sure ‘technically’ it would be.
I know it's not popular to say in these circles, but i am not a fan of this guy and what Naughty Dog has become under him.
So, i am pretty sure that whatever it is, it's unlikely it will be something i'm interested in.
@theSpectre @Rob_230 Housemarque was technically bought after the release of Returnal making this a second party release.
My money's on ND (Neil Druckmann EDIT: AND Naughty Dog) tripling down on the TLOU train (they've invested too much into it now with the show).
Naughty Dog ran 2 dev teams concurrently (since 2011): TLOU and UC. The UC's team's last main release was in 2017 with Lost Legacy - though I'm sure they were likely involved in the 2022 PS5 remaster (Legacy of Thieves collection). They are set for another release in the next 1-2 years... but I don't see a lot of hunger for a new UC game. But I'm sure that's going to be sans Druckmann.
The TLOU team have been working on TLOUp1 (PS5 and PC), and now TLOUP2 remaster. Just hoping the second team hasn't been pushed to support the Factions game (as the UC team had more multiplayer experience). Either way I'm sure Druckmann's celebrity re: TLOU will mean he only focuses on that for the time being. It's been 10+ years since ND gave us new IP. Fingers crossed ND get creative again, rather than dining off the same meal over and over again (and I even loved TLOUP2)
Hoping it's a new IP. Last of Us I feel the franchise fatigue it's milked to death. But it will be likely LOUP2 Re-release or LOUP3 release.
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