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Naughty Dog's Intergalactic Years Away, Skips The Game Awards

Naughty Dog's Intergalactic Years Away, Skips The Game Awards
Naughty Dog's Intergalactic game logo with a space background, representing its distant release and sci-fi theme

Gaming's most revered narrative architects, Naughty Dog, are reportedly still years away from launching their highly anticipated new intellectual property, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Fans holding out hope for a glimpse at The Game Awards next month will also be disappointed, as insider reports suggest the title will not make an appearance. The news paints a picture of a prolonged development cycle that could see the ambitious sci-fi epic potentially bypass the entire PlayStation 5 generation.

Intergalactic's Release Window Pushed to 2027, or Later

The conversation around Intergalactic's launch timing gained traction following journalist Colin Moriarty's earlier speculation of a 2026 release, a comment he later clarified as pure conjecture. However, Bloomberg's esteemed reporter Jason Schreier has since offered a more definitive, albeit distant, timeline. Schreier first stated in March that a 2026 launch was unlikely, a sentiment he reiterated this month, pinpointing 2027 as the absolute earliest possible arrival. This suggests Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet could skip the PlayStation 5 console generation entirely, a significant shift for the studio known for its platform-defining exclusives. Naughty Dog's Co-President, Neil Druckmann, had previously indicated in a March interview that the project still had "a ways to go," aligning with the extended development timeline.

No The Game Awards Appearance Expected

Adding to the news, Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb has claimed that Intergalactic will not be showcased with a new trailer at this year's Game Awards. While the game was initially revealed at last year's ceremony, its absence this year isn't entirely unexpected given PlayStation's historical tendency to tease blockbuster titles long before they're ready for public consumption. This pattern, also observed with other major publishers, often leads to significant wait times between initial reveal and final release.

Naughty Dog's Evolving Development Landscape and Fan Sentiment

The extended development for Intergalactic stands in stark contrast to Naughty Dog's prolific output during the PlayStation 3 and 4 eras, where they delivered an Uncharted trilogy and the original The Last of Us within a comparable timeframe. Should Intergalactic launch in 2027, it would mark seven years since the critically acclaimed The Last of Us Part 2 hit shelves.

In the interim, Naughty Dog has released several updated titles, including:

  • Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
  • The Last of Us Part 1 (remake)
  • The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

However, these have largely been re-releases or remasters. Compounding fan frustration, the studio also recently cancelled its much-anticipated multiplayer The Last of Us spin-off. This has led to noticeable discontent among segments of the community, with one fan lamenting on social media, "TLOU P2 dropped in 2020 and all we've gotten are barebones remasters, an unnecessary remake, cancelled multiplayer and waiting almost a decade for a new game."

Unveiling The Heretic Prophet: Ambitious Vision and Star Cast

Despite the lengthy wait, Neil Druckmann remains confident that Intergalactic will be "worth the wait." The title promises a compelling dark sci-fi narrative exploring themes of faith and religion. The project boasts a star-studded cast, featuring:

  • Tati Gabrielle (from the Uncharted movie) as the protagonist, Jordan A. Mun
  • Kumail Nanjiani (of Marvel's Eternals) as the character Colin Graves

In a September interview, Druckmann enthusiastically described Intergalactic as "the most ambitious game we’ve ever made," elaborating that it is also "the most expansive game we’ve ever made," and potentially "the most expensive, by the time we finish it." He confidently stated that development was "firing on all cylinders," underscoring the team's dedication to its grand vision.

Curiously, Druckmann also confirmed in May that Naughty Dog is simultaneously working on a second unannounced game, where he is taking on a "more of a producer" and "mentor" role. This has sparked speculation that this secondary project might see the light of day sooner than Intergalactic, potentially offering fans a new Naughty Dog experience in the interim.