Naughty Dog’s new sci‑fi won’t hit in 2026 — here’s why fans should stop holding their breath

Why this matters: don’t expect Naughty Dog’s new sci‑fi in 2026

Naughty Dog’s surprise new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, turned heads at the Game Awards 2024 – but don’t clear your 2026 calendar. Trusted reporters Jason Schreier and Jeff Grubb have both pushed back on circulating rumors and made it clear: Intergalactic is not arriving in 2026. For players who hoped a quick turnaround was coming, that’s the most important takeaway.

• Intergalactic is a PS5 exclusive revealed at the Game Awards 2024, set in an alternate‑1986 space setting.
• High‑profile journalists say a 2026 release is highly unlikely – expect a later window, possibly 2027 or beyond.
• Naughty Dog calls this its most ambitious and expensive project, which raises both excitement and realistic concerns about delays.
• Fans should not bank on new trailers or a launch announcement at the Game Awards 2025.

Breaking down what actually happened

Intergalactic debuted in 2024 as a striking tonal shift for Naughty Dog: an original sci‑fi world where space travel exists in an alternate 1986. The studio – best known for Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us — cast Tati Gabrielle as Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on a hostile planet. Neil Druckmann framed it as the studio’s most expansive, most expensive project yet. Development began in 2020 and the first trailer landed in 2024.

After the trailer, leaks and wishful thinking filled the gaps. Former journalist Colin Moriarty speculated publicly that Intergalactic could be ready in 2026, saying (translated): “I think we’ll see it at the Game Awards, and I believe next year it will be ready. Maybe Naughty Dog will push it back, but given their hiring and feedback, it looks like development is finishing. It’s a good sign — content is finalized and everything’s ready. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ships next year around the same time.”

That kind of optimism landed poorly with reporters who track inside development timelines closely. Jason Schreier bluntly tweeted, “Can assure you Intergalactic is not coming out in 2026,” and Jeff Grubb echoed the same assessment. Moriarty later clarified his comments were speculative and personal opinion. Naughty Dog has not posted an official release date.

Why this caught my attention — and why you should care

This grabbed me because Naughty Dog doesn’t roll out new IPs often, and when they do it matters. The studio sets player expectations very high — people expect cinematic set pieces, tight combat, and story beats that scar the memory. The claim that Intergalactic is their “largest and most expensive” project to date raises two competing scenarios: a potential masterpiece that needs time to polish, or a sprawling scope that invites delay and rework.

Also, the timing matters to PlayStation’s roadmap. PS5 is several years in now, and Sony benefits from marquee exclusives sprinkled across the console generation. If Intergalactic slips past 2026, Sony will have to lean on other first‑party studios to carry the narrative until Naughty Dog is ready.

What gamers should realistically expect

Temper expectations for a 2026 launch. Journalists with a track record on insider development timelines are insisting it won’t happen, and those voices matter more than optimistic speculation. Don’t expect a big reveal at the Game Awards 2025 — internal sources have already dampened that hope.

That said, a later release isn’t inherently bad. If Naughty Dog is building a sprawling sci‑fi world with narrative depth and technical ambition, extra time could mean fewer rough edges at launch. But be wary of marketing lines: “most ambitious” and “most expensive” are not guarantees of quality — they’re promises that need time and good management to keep.

Looking forward — what to watch for next

• Watch for incremental updates from Naughty Dog rather than a full trailer — small dev diaries or tech showcases would be a realistic next step.
• Keep an eye on Sony’s first‑party publishing calendar; where Intergalactic lands will change priorities for release windows.
• Pay attention to hiring and studio commentary: more recruitment doesn’t always mean imminent release — sometimes it signals extended polish or feature creep.

TL;DR: Intergalactic looked exciting at the Game Awards, but insiders say don’t expect it in 2026. Be excited, be skeptical, and don’t be surprised if Naughty Dog asks for more time to deliver something big.