Naughty Dog's CEO, Neil Druckmann, reveals the challenges of keeping their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a secret. The pressure mounted amidst fan frustration over the studio's focus on remasters and remakes.
The Difficulty of Secrecy
Druckmann confessed to the New York Times the immense difficulty of maintaining secrecy for years while developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He acknowledged the growing fan discontent expressed on social media, demanding new IPs instead of re-releases. Despite these concerns, the game's reveal trailer garnered over 2 million YouTube views, proving a successful launch.
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 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 enigmatic planet Sempiria. Its perilous history has claimed countless explorers, challenging Jordan to utilize her skills to survive and potentially become the first to return in over 600 years.
Druckmann describes the narrative as ambitious, exploring themes of faith and institutional belief. He also highlights the game's return to Naughty Dog's action-adventure roots, drawing inspiration from classic anime like Akira (1988) and Cowboy Bebop (1990).
