Naughty Dog's Latest Stealth

Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, under wraps, particularly amidst fan frustration over remasters and remakes. The following details his experience and provides an overview of the game.

The Difficulty of Secrecy

Druckmann admitted to The New York Times that maintaining secrecy for years on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was incredibly difficult. He acknowledged fan concerns, expressed widely on social media, regarding the studio's focus on remasters and remakes at the expense of new IPs. The overwhelmingly positive response to the game's announcement trailer (over 2 million YouTube views) ultimately validated the studio's decision to keep the project secret.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet - Naughty Dog's New Adventure

Known for acclaimed franchises like Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and The Last of Us, Naughty Dog expands its portfolio with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Initially teased in 2022, the title was trademarked by Sony Interactive Entertainment in February 2024 and officially unveiled at The Game Awards.

Set in an alternate 1986 with advanced space travel, players assume the role of Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on the perilous planet Sempiria – a place shrouded in mystery and a history no one has ever survived uncovering. Jordan must utilize her skills and ingenuity to survive and potentially become the first to return from Sempiria in over 600 years.

Druckmann describes the story as ambitious, focusing on a fictional religion and the consequences of faith in various institutions. He further highlights the game's return to Naughty Dog's action-adventure roots, drawing inspiration from Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).