The Last of Us 2 developer is working on 'several cool things' for PS5

The Last of Us 2
(Image credit: Sony/Naughty Dog)

Following the success of the critically-acclaimed The Last of Us 2, it's understandable that Naughty Dog fans are eager to know what the developer is up to next. And while the studio's next project hasn't been confirmed yet, Naughty Dog's co-president Neil Druckmann has confirmed that it's got more than one new project in the works.

In response to fans tweeting him and asking about "a future project", Druckmann tweeted saying that Naughty Dog has "several cool things" to share and that it will as soon as it can.

Given that Naughty Dog is a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment, it's pretty certain we'll see these projects coming to PS5 (and possibly PS4) in the future.

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What could these projects be?

Uncharted

(Image credit: Naughty Dog)

We already know The Last of Us 2 is getting a standalone multiplayer expansion, with Naughty Dog revealing in September 2019 that The Last of Us 2's online mode 'Factions' would not be packaged with the main game as originally planned, as it had grown beyond being simply an additional game mode.

Instead, Naughty Dog revealed that fans would still be able to "eventually experience the fruits" of the team's labor, though when (and where) that would be was still being determined at the time.

Leaks of this multilayer gameplay leaked last year, but the studio has remained tight-lipped about the authenticity of the leak and still hasn't given an update on when we will see Factions. 

It's likely Naughty Dog is also working on a PS5 upgrade for The Last of Us 2, which currently only has a PS4 version. We would expect this upgrade to utilize the power of the PS5, providing upgraded graphics and performance.

But that's not all Naughty Dog has cooking. We also know that the studio was hiring for development on a new single-player game in mid-2020 – everything from single-player level designers to temporary texture artists. One vacancy for a Tools Programmer detailed that the successful applicant would be "be working on our next-generation graphics analysis, profiling and debugging tool in conjunction with our sister technology groups," suggesting this new project is coming to PS5.

Again, Naughty Dog hasn't confirmed what this new project could be, so we can only speculate as to whether it's a new addition to one of its current franchises or a brand new IP. It's already rumored that Sony's 'secret' San Diego studio is potentially working on a new Uncharted game

Finally, we also know that a The Last of Us TV show is coming to HBO, which Chernobyl's Johan Renck set to direct, The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal set to play Joel and Game of Throne's Bella Ramsey to play Ellie.

It already looks like a busy year ahead for Naughty Dog, then. But we're hoping that there are still a few surprises up the studio's sleeves.

Vic Hood
Associate Editor, TechRadar Gaming

Vic is TechRadar Gaming's Associate Editor. An award-winning games journalist, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer and more to the TechRadar table. You may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel. Not only is Vic passionate about games, but she's also an avid mental health advocate who has appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.