It’s funny what you can find if you sleuth around the internet enough. Case in point, sprinklings about Naughty Dog’s next (and still-to-be-revealed) IP.
The first-party Sony studio has remained relatively silent for years, but now, on the heels of the success of their series, The Last of Us, which recently made its mark at the 2024 Emmy Awards, details about its next non-TLOU project have emerged, and it’s somewhat good news.
Given the studio’s likely focus on this new IP, it would help explain the longer wait for a third installment in The Last of Us series, especially after the recent success of the HBO TV adaptation.
Illustrator Mentions Work on New Naughty Dog IP
byu/AngieK22 inGamingLeaksAndRumours
A leak on the subreddit r/GamingLeaksAndRumors, which included a snapshot of illustrator Colin Lorimer’s LinkedIn profile, sparked speculation about this upcoming project. This lists his involvement in the live-action adaptation of The Last of Us, the now-canceled multiplayer spin-off, and an “Untitled Project” over at Naughty Dog.
Naughty Dog has a history of successful franchises, including Crash Bandicoot, Uncharted, and The Last of Us. With the award-winning franchise, Uncharted, unofficially concluded (with a reboot reportedly coming) and The Last of Us’ next steps in gaming uncertain, Naughty Dog has the opportunity to be something that it hasn’t been in a long time – a studio with an opportunity to explore new creative avenues. The recent confirmation of multiple new games in development by the studio further fuels excitement and curiosity about what this new IP might entail.
Naughty Dog’s commitment to creating new, single-player experiences is evident from their recent announcements and the shift in resources following the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. This project was scrapped due to the extensive resources required, which would have impacted their work on single-player titles. It’s worth noting that Lorimer was also a significant contributor to the live-action The Last of Us series and the studio’s other developments.
Despite this intriguing news, details about the new IP remain scarce. Fans of Naughty Dog, known for their high-quality narrative-driven games, are eagerly anticipating what this new project could bring. The studio’s previous titles have set a high standard, known for their engaging storytelling and immersive gameplay. This new IP will be expected to uphold these standards while offering something fresh and exciting. But, the studio’s approach has been cautious and focused, with no rush to release information about the new IP. This is in line with their history of taking the time to develop and perfect their games, as seen with the seven-year gap between the original The Last of Us and its sequel. The same meticulous attention to detail and development time is expected for the new IP.
As for the release of this new IP, we can only guess. Ideally, it’ll be out by next year, considering the resources and time freed up from the studio’s recent cancellation of its ambitious multiplayer endeavors. However, given Naughty Dog’s history of taking the time to refine and perfect their games, this is only a speculative at best.
