Naughty Dog Rules Out Last of Us Part 3

The future of The Last of Us gaming series appears uncertain following recent comments from Naughty Dog leadership. Find out what this means for the franchise and what other projects Naughty Dog currently has in development.

The Last Of Us Might End With Part 2

Naughty Dog Indicates Series Could Be Complete

Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann recently cast doubt on future installments of The Last of Us series, suggesting The Last of Us Part 2 might serve as the franchise's conclusion. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Druckmann responded to questions about The Last of Us 3 development by stating: "Don't count on seeing more of 'The Last of Us.' This might be the end."

This statement aligns with Druckmann's previous comments to IGN during the DICE Summit 2025 regarding sequel development philosophy: "I believe focusing on sequels while creating the first installment would be premature. While occasional ideas emerged during The Last of Us 2 development about potential future directions, my approach remains consistent - I implement compelling ideas immediately rather than reserving them for hypothetical sequels."

While this suggests the gaming series might conclude, fans can still anticipate The Last of Us season 2 premiering April 13, 2025.

Studio Focus Shifts To New Intellectual Property

Despite potential conclusions for The Last of Us gaming series, Naughty Dog unveiled a brand new project at The Game Awards 2024. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet represents Naughty Dog's ambitious expansion into science fiction territory for PlayStation 5.

The announcement trailer hinted at a richly detailed sci-fi universe, with Naughty Dog confirming development since 2020. The studio describes this as their most imaginative narrative yet, though further details remain undisclosed.

Online Multiplayer Cancellation Paved Way For New Project

Previously canceled The Last of Us Online project redirected resources toward Intergalactic development, according to former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida during a February 19, 2025 Sacred Symbols+ podcast appearance.

"Naughty Dog enthusiastically pursued The Last of Us Online concept," Yoshida explained. "However, Bungie's insights about live-service game realities made us reconsider. Maintaining such projects demands long-term commitments that would have compromised Intergalactic development."

With Druckmann's recent statements and the multiplayer cancellation, Naughty Dog appears ready to move beyond The Last of Us universe. Fans can still experience The Last of Us 2 Remastered launching April 3, 2025 for PC. For detailed coverage of this enhanced version, explore our comprehensive article.