Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping the studio's new IP under wraps, especially amidst fan frustration over remasters and remakes. Discover his thoughts and learn more about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
The Difficulty of Secrecy
Druckmann confessed to the New York Times that maintaining secrecy for years during the development of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was incredibly difficult. He acknowledged the fanbase's growing impatience with remakes, particularly of The Last of Us, while anticipating new IPs.
"It was incredibly challenging to work on this project in secret for so long," Druckmann stated. "Seeing fans express their desire for new games and IPs on social media made it even harder."
Despite his concerns, the game's reveal generated significant buzz, garnering over 2 million views on YouTube for its launch trailer.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet - Naughty Dog's Latest Adventure
Naughty Dog, renowned for titles like Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Crash Bandicoot, and The Last of Us, 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 enigmatic planet Sempiria—a place from which no one has ever returned. Jordan must utilize her skills to survive and potentially become the first to escape Sempiria in over 600 years.
Druckmann described the narrative as ambitious, focusing on a fictional religion and the consequences of faith in various institutions. He also highlighted the game's return to Naughty Dog's action-adventure roots, drawing inspiration from Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).
