Naughty Dog released a trailer for their upcoming new game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, during The Game Awards 2024. Since the trailer only tells a little about the game’s story, Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckman has spoken with the New York Times about this new project. The man claimed the story was quite ambitious since it centered on a fictitious religion and explored what might happen when one puts their faith in different institutions.
The upcoming game will be set in a sci-fi setting and follows the journey of bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun, who’s stranded on planet Sempiria. “It’s a return to Naughty Dog’s roots in the action-adventure genre that helped build the studio’s reputation with franchises like Crash Bandicoot,” Druckman told the New York Times. The man then explained this project was inspired by classic anime such as Akira and Cowboy Bebop.
In the article, the Naughty Dog studio head also elaborated on why he picked Tati Gabrielle to star in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He said the woman stood out during the casting process due to her intimidating presence. He said it was similar to another moment when he knew Ashley Johnson should play Ellie in The Last of Us.
Druckman was aware of the criticisms from frustrated fans. Many have expressed being tired of receiving endless remasters and remakes and wanting to experience a new I.P. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet seems to be the response to players’ demand.
Despite a string of successful games, Naughty Dog hasn’t been spared from the rough trend in the gaming industry. The company has had a series of layoffs, and Druckman even had to restructure the studio to ensure that it could become an “I.P. powerhouse.” The man claimed that he didn’t feel like he had to prove himself at this point in his career.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet also seems to be a work of passion. Druckman said that he wanted to find a balance between business and art. He claimed this wasn’t just about pursuing any opportunity to increase the company’s bottom line.
