Maintaining Secrecy: The Challenges of Naughty Dog's New IP

Naughty Dog CEO Neil Druckmann recently revealed the difficulties in keeping the studio's new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, under wraps, particularly amidst fan frustration over the numerous remasters and remakes. The silence, he admitted to The New York Times, was "really hard." This sentiment stemmed from the awareness of fan outcry on social media demanding new games and original IPs instead of continued revisits to older titles.

Despite these concerns, the game's reveal at The Game Awards generated significant buzz, accumulating over 2 million views on YouTube.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: A New Frontier for Naughty Dog

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 before its official unveiling.

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. Its perilous history has claimed countless explorers, making Jordan's survival and potential return a monumental challenge.

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 classics like Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).