Fans eagerly awaiting Naughty Dog's new sci-fi IP will need to exercise considerable patience as industry insiders suggest a lengthy development timeline for the studio's next major release. The ambitious project, revealed at The Game Awards 2024, appears to be in early development stages with years of work still ahead.
Bloomberg's Jason Schreier Predicts 2027 Release Window
According to respected industry journalist Jason Schreier of Bloomberg, Naughty Dog's upcoming sci-fi title Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet won't see the light of day before 2027. This timeline estimation came as Schreier responded to discussions about CD Projekt RED's confirmation that The Witcher IV wouldn't launch before late 2026. On the ResetEra forum, Schreier clarified his position, stating that both titles were very early teases and that neither of those games will be out next year.
Seven-Year Gap Between Major Releases
If Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet does indeed launch in 2027, it would mark a significant seven-year gap since Naughty Dog's previous original title, The Last of Us Part II, which released in 2020. This extended development cycle raises questions about the evolving nature of AAA game development and the increasing resources required to create cutting-edge experiences.
Timeline Comparison
- Naughty Dog's last original game: The Last of Us Part II (2020)
- Projected release for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: 2027
- Development gap: Approximately 7 years
- CD Projekt RED's last full game: Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)
- Projected release for The Witcher IV: After 2026
The Last of Us Online Cancellation Impact
The lengthy timeline between releases can be partially attributed to Naughty Dog's work on The Last of Us Online, which was ultimately canceled. The studio had nearly completed this multiplayer project before deciding to shelve it after realizing—reportedly with input from Bungie—that post-launch support would have consumed much of the studio's resources for years. Had this project continued, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet might have been pushed even further into the future.
Key Factors in Extended Development
- Cancellation of The Last of Us Online
- Increasing complexity of AAA game development
- Potential console generation transition (PS5 to PS6)
- Resource requirements for cutting-edge experiences
Next-Generation Console Implications
The projected 2027 release date raises interesting questions about which console generation will host Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. By 2027, the PlayStation 5 would be seven years into its lifecycle, and Sony may have already announced or even launched the PlayStation 6. This timing suggests Naughty Dog's new IP could potentially skip the PS5 generation entirely as an original title (outside of remakes and remasters) and possibly serve as a launch title for Sony's next console.
Industry Trend of Extended Development Cycles
Naughty Dog isn't alone in extending development timelines. CD Projekt RED's The Witcher IV is similarly projected for a 2027 release at the earliest, coming seven years after Cyberpunk 2077. While CD Projekt RED has been busy with Cyberpunk improvements and the Phantom Liberty expansion, as well as transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, the pattern suggests a new reality for major studios: the largest triple-A games now require between five to seven years of development.
Game Director's Perspective on Development Progress
Naughty Dog's Game Director Neil Druckmann has acknowledged the lengthy development process ahead, recently stating: We still have a ways to go... these things are so complex and big and there's so many people involved. I still don't know exactly what this thing's gonna look like at the end. I have a theory, I have an idea, but it's still evolving and changing as we are making it. His comments reinforce the impression that the game remains in a relatively early stage of development.
Industry Challenges of Extended Development Cycles
The extended development cycles for major titles like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet present significant challenges for studios. With so much time and resources invested in a single project, the financial stakes become enormously high. A commercial failure after seven years of development could prove catastrophic for even established studios, highlighting the increasing risks in modern AAA game development.