The Last of Us Part 3 Isn't Coming, Claims Naughty Dog President

Naughty Dog's recent comments suggest the acclaimed The Last of Us video game series might be concluding. Read on to learn about the future of The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.

The Last of Us: No More Sequels?

Naughty Dog's Statement

It appears The Last of Us Part II may be the final chapter in the acclaimed zombie saga. In a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted at the possibility of no further sequels, stating, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it." This statement casts doubt on the future of The Last of Us in gaming, as Naughty Dog shifts focus to its television series.

Druckmann previously expressed his perspective on game sequels in a DICE Summit 2025 interview with IGN, stating he avoids planning sequels during the development of the initial game. He explained, "I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game. So when I was making The Last of Us 2, yeah, sure. Every once in a while an idea pops in your head of where it might go if we get the chance to do another one. But I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’...I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here."

This suggests a definitive end to the TLOU video game series, particularly given Part II's relatively conclusive narrative. However, fans can still anticipate the upcoming Season 2 of the The Last of Us TV series, premiering April 13, 2025.

A New IP in Development

While the future of The Last of Us games remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, they announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PlayStation 5, unveiling a short teaser trailer showcasing its sci-fi elements. According to the game's official website, development began in 2020, promising a unique and ambitious narrative. Further details remain scarce.

The Cancellation of The Last of Us Online

Reports surfaced earlier about the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. Naughty Dog cited a focus on single-player titles, hinting at a new project. The announcement of Intergalactic confirms this new focus.

In a February 19, 2025 interview with the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida revealed that The Last of Us Online was cancelled to prioritize Intergalactic's development. He cited advice from Bungie regarding the significant commitment required for live-service games, stating, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it. But Bungie explained what it takes to make live-service games, and Naughty Dog realized, 'Oops, we can't do that! If we do it, we can't make Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' So that was a lack of foresight."

Druckmann's statements and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online strongly suggest Naughty Dog's commitment to new projects, leaving the future of The Last of Us video games uncertain. However, fans can look forward to The Last of Us Part II Remastered launching April 3, 2025, for PC. For updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, check out our related article!