Majority of Naughty Dog Worked on Cancelled The Last of Us Online

A new report reveals that the majority of Naughty Dog's studio was focused on the standalone The Last of Us Online multiplayer game before its cancellation in late 2023. Addressing common misconceptions, Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier explained in a video that the anticipated project was far from a minor side hustle. Instead, it commanded the attention of most of the California-based development team.

Schreier clarified that focus only shifted toward the upcoming title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, once the multiplayer project was officially axed. Prior to that cancellation, Intergalactic did not possess the majority of the studio's staff. Throughout the 2020s, a significant portion of Naughty Dog's workforce was split between working on The Last of Us Online and various remakes, which explains why the developer has not shipped an entirely brand new standalone game since 2020.

During the current generation, Naughty Dog has released a remake of the original The Last of Us and a remaster of The Last of Us Part II for the PlayStation 5, alongside remasters for Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Meanwhile, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is expected to launch next year.