Having launched their last big project, The Last of Us Part 2, just a little over a year ago, we’re probably not going to see something from Naughty Dog for the foreseeable future. But of course, there are always questions about what they’re going to work on next. Especially with a studio like Naughty Dog, one can’t help but wonder if they’re going to go back to the excellent IP they’ve already got under their belt or try and something completely new, which is just as exciting, if not more so.
According to Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells, you should expect a little bit of both from the studio. Speaking with Game Informer, Wells said that though there’s some “excitement” about developing a new IP, Naughty Dog still has “a ton of love” for the likes of Uncharted and The Last of Us.
“I think the easy answer is: both,” Wells said. “I think there’s excitement to develop new IP, but there is still a ton of love for Uncharted and The Last of Us, and I think you’ll see both kinds of projects from us in the future.”
The Last of Us’ standalone multiplayer project is, of course, currently in the works, while leaks have also strongly suggested that a remake of the first game is also being developed. As for Uncharted, as per previous reports, SIE Bend Studio was at one point working on a new game under Naughty Dog’s supervision, but that project was canned, with Bend instead moving to its own new open world title.
The Last of Us creator and Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann has also previously said that either a third game in the series or a completely new IP could be the studio’s next big project. Apparently, Druckmann already has a rough story outline for The Last of Us Part 3. Take from that what you will.