Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping their new IP under wraps, particularly amidst fan frustration over remakes and remasters. Discover his thoughts and learn more about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet below.
The Difficulty of Secrecy
Druckmann confessed to the New York Times that maintaining secrecy for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet over several years was "really hard." He acknowledged fan discontent with the studio's focus on remasters, particularly The Last of Us, and the lack of new IPs. He stated, "It’s really hard to work on these things in secret and silence for so many years. And then to see our fans go on social media and say, ‘Enough with the remasters and remakes! Where are your new games and new I.P.s?’"
Despite these concerns, the game's reveal at The Game Awards garnered significant attention, with the announcement trailer exceeding 2 million YouTube views.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet - Naughty Dog's Latest 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 returned from exploring. Jordan must utilize her skills to survive and potentially become the first to escape Sempiria in over 600 years.
Druckmann described the narrative as "quite 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).
