The silence is honestly deafening. If you’ve been following the prestige side of the industry, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Naughty Dog used to have a rhythm. Uncharted, then The Last of Us, then a sequel, maybe a lost legacy in between. But lately? It feels like we’ve been living on a diet of remasters and "Part I" logic while the actual creative engine at the Santa Monica studio hums behind soundproof glass.
It’s been years since The Last of Us Part II broke the internet and divided the world. Since then, we’ve seen the cancellation of the high-stakes The Last of Us Online project—a move that reportedly shook the studio's internal structure—and a lot of cryptic LinkedIn updates from developers. People are getting restless. We want the "new." We want to know if Neil Druckmann is chasing another bleak masterpiece or if the studio is finally ready to let some light in with a fresh IP.
Let’s get into the weeds of Naughty Dog upcoming games and separate the concrete evidence from the desperate "leaks" that populate Reddit every Tuesday.
The big pivot and the multi-project reality
Neil Druckmann, now the sole creative lead and visionary head of the studio after Evan Wells’ retirement, hasn't been shy about the fact that they are working on "multiple" projects. But the definition of "working on" in game dev is slippery.
Specifically, we know for a fact that Naughty Dog is developing a brand-new intellectual property. This isn't just a rumor; Druckmann has mentioned in several interviews, including a notable sit-down with Sony’s internal media team, that this new project is "ambitious" and "really hard" to pull off. The pivot here is massive. For a decade, the studio has been defined by the fungi-infested world of Joel and Ellie. Stepping away from that comfort zone is a risk, but it's one the studio needs to take to avoid creative burnout.
What is it? Honestly, nobody knows for sure. There’s a lot of chatter about a fantasy setting. Why? Because of some stray concept art found in The Last of Us Part I remake that showed a woman sitting next to a slain dragon. It looked like high fantasy, a massive departure from their gritty realism. However, it’s just as likely that was a "Stray’s Cross" style red herring.
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The elephant in the room: Is The Last of Us Part III real?
Yes. Probably. Almost certainly.
In the Grounded II documentary, which tracked the brutal development of the second game, Druckmann ended the film with a quote that basically set the fandom on fire. He said he has a "concept" for a third chapter. He admitted he didn't have a full story for years, but he finally found that "hook," that thematic resonance that makes a third game feel necessary rather than just a cash grab.
So, when we talk about Naughty Dog upcoming games, The Last of Us Part III is the heavy hitter. But don’t expect it anytime soon. If they are just at the "concept" stage as of 2024, and the scale is anything like the previous games, we are looking at a 2027 or 2028 release window. Minimum.
The story would likely have to deal with the fallout of Abby and Lev's journey to the Fireflies and Ellie’s attempt to find a purpose beyond her trauma. But the studio is being careful. They saw the crunch-related backlash. They saw the leaks that ruined the second game’s surprises. They are locked down tight.
Why the "fable" of Naughty Dog's perfection is changing
The cancellation of the multiplayer project—internally known as Project Factions—was a watershed moment. It was a rare, public "L" for a studio that supposedly never misses. Sony’s partnership with Bungie led to a review of the game, and the feedback was reportedly that it wouldn't keep players engaged long-term as a "live service."
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Naughty Dog had a choice: become a live-service studio and support one game for ten years, or kill the project and stay a single-player powerhouse. They chose the latter. This decision redirected hundreds of developers back onto the new IP and the potential Part III.
This matters because it means the pipeline for Naughty Dog upcoming games is now purely focused on what they do best: cinematic, linear, or "wide-linear" narratives. No more distractions. No more trying to be Fortnite.
The state of the technology
We also have to look at the engine. Every major Naughty Dog release usually debuts a new version of their proprietary tech. We saw it with the rope physics in Uncharted 4 and the "motion matching" in Part II.
The next slate of games will be the first built from the ground up for the PS5 Pro and whatever comes next. Expect facial animation that makes Part II look like a PS3 game. We're talking about micro-expressions that communicate subtext without a word of dialogue. This is where the studio's "Expertise" (the E in E-E-A-T) actually lies. They aren't just storytellers; they are the industry's premier digital puppeteers.
Breaking down the timeline (The realistic version)
If you see a YouTube thumbnail claiming Uncharted 5 is coming this Christmas, close the tab. It’s nonsense. Here is the likely roadmap based on production cycles and hiring data:
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- The New IP: This is the priority. It has been in pre-production since roughly 2020/2021. We are likely to see a teaser trailer at a PlayStation Showcase in late 2025 or early 2026.
- The Last of Us Part III: This is the "long tail" project. Development will ramp up once the new IP hits its "alpha" phase.
- Collaborations: There are persistent rumors that Naughty Dog is supervising another studio (like San Diego Studio or a revamped Bend Studio) to handle the Uncharted franchise. Naughty Dog has said they are "done" with Nathan Drake, but Sony isn't done with the IP.
What this means for you
The wait is going to be long.
If you’re looking for Naughty Dog upcoming games to fill your schedule in the next twelve months, you’re probably going to be disappointed, unless there’s a smaller-scale "Legacy of Thieves" style collection or perhaps a native PC port of the remaining library.
But there’s a silver lining. The studio is hiring for "narrative-driven" positions and "environment artists" capable of "next-generation fidelity." They are expanding. They aren't shrinking away from their identity.
Actionable steps for fans and collectors:
- Watch the HBO show updates: Usually, Naughty Dog aligns their game announcements with the "hype cycles" of the TV show. Season 2 of The Last of Us is a prime window for a "One More Thing" announcement regarding the game franchise.
- Follow the leads, not the leaks: Keep an eye on the social media of people like Kurt Margenau and Shaun Escayg. When they start getting "excited about the future," the marketing machine is about to kick in.
- Lower expectations for remakes: With the cancellation of the multiplayer game, the studio is under pressure to deliver a new hit. The era of "safe" remasters might be slowing down to make room for the big creative swings.
The reality of Naughty Dog upcoming games is that the studio is currently in a state of reinvention. They are moving away from the "zombie studio" label and trying to prove they can dominate a whole new genre. Whether that’s sci-fi, fantasy, or something grounded in the real world, the DNA will be the same: flawless animation, gut-punching stories, and a level of polish that makes other AAA games look like beta tests.
Keep your eyes on the horizon, but don't hold your breath. Greatness, as Nathan Drake used to say, from small beginnings—or in this case, from very long, very silent development cycles.