The gaming community was set ablaze last December when Naughty Dog took the stage at The Game Awards 2024 to unveil their mysterious new project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The cinematic trailer, featuring a retro-futuristic sci-fi world and a compelling new protagonist, immediately became one of the most talked-about moments of the show. However, recent reports from multiple industry insiders suggest that fans hoping for an update at this year’s ceremony might be in for disappointment. According to credible sources, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet may be completely absent from The Game Awards 2025, leaving many to wonder about the status of Naughty Dog’s ambitious new IP.
The Excitement Behind Intergalactic’s Big Reveal
When Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet debuted at The Game Awards 2024, it represented a significant moment for both Naughty Dog and the gaming industry. The studio, known for creating critically acclaimed franchises like Uncharted and The Last of Us, was venturing into completely new territory with a space-faring sci-fi adventure. The trailer introduced players to Jordan A. Mun, portrayed by actor Tati Gabrielle, a bounty hunter stranded on the mysterious planet Sempiria, where communication with the outside universe ceased centuries ago.
What made the reveal particularly exciting was how different it felt from Naughty Dog’s previous work. While the studio had built its reputation on grounded, realistic settings, Intergalactic promised a bold new direction with its retro-futuristic aesthetic and themes exploring faith and religion. Neil Druckmann, who’s co-directing the project, has been candid about how this represents a new chapter for Naughty Dog, describing the game as being about “faith and religion” in contrast to The Last of Us’ focus on grief.
The reveal trailer was meticulously crafted, showing off Naughty Dog’s signature attention to detail while hinting at gameplay elements through environmental storytelling and character interactions. Fans and industry observers alike were quick to praise the ambitious scope of the project, with many calling it one of the most intriguing new IP announcements in recent memory.
The Inside Scoop: Why Intergalactic Won’t Appear at TGAs 2025?
The speculation about Intergalactic’s absence from The Game Awards 2025 began when industry insider Jeff Grubb took to social media with a straightforward message: the game wouldn’t be making an appearance at this year’s ceremony. This claim was quickly corroborated by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who’s built a reputation for accurate reporting on Naughty Dog’s internal workings.
“Can assure you that Intergalactic is not coming out in 2026,” Schreier stated in a Reddit discussion, effectively shooting down rumors that had been circulating about a potential 2026 release window. Grubb expanded on this, confirming that not only would the game miss a 2026 release, but it also wouldn’t be present at The Game Awards 2025 in any capacity.
These reports carry significant weight given the sources’ track records. Schreier, in particular, has consistently provided accurate information about Naughty Dog’s projects, including details about The Last of Us Part II’s development and the cancellation of The Last of Us Online. When both he and Grubb align on a story, the gaming community tends to take notice.
The Colin Moriarty Controversy: Context Matters
The situation became more complicated when Last Stand Media’s Colin Moriarty shared his personal prediction that Intergalactic might appear at The Game Awards 2025 and potentially release in 2026. This statement was quickly picked up by various outlets and social media users, who treated it as an insider leak rather than what it was—Moriarty’s personal speculation.
Moriarty later clarified that his words had been taken out of context, emphasizing that he was merely sharing his opinion rather than reporting on insider information. This clarification came after Schreier and Grubb had already debunked the timeline, creating a confusing situation for fans who were trying to piece together the game’s actual release schedule.
The incident highlights a common problem in gaming journalism: the distinction between informed predictions and actual insider reports can often become blurred in the fast-paced world of social media and news aggregation. For Intergalactic specifically, it meant that fans had their hopes raised prematurely, only to have them tempered by more reliable sources.
What We Know About Intergalactic’s Development Status?
Despite the lack of official updates since the Game Awards reveal, we’ve been able to piece together some information about Intergalactic’s development progress. Neil Druckmann has mentioned that the game has been in development for approximately five years, which aligns with the timeline following The Last of Us Part II’s completion.
In a recent interview, Druckmann described the game as “incredible” after having played it at Naughty Dog’s offices, suggesting that the core experience is taking shape. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the game is close to completion. Naughty Dog is known for their meticulous approach to development, often spending years refining and polishing their projects to meet their exacting standards.
Adding to this picture, voice actor Troy Baker confirmed in a recent conversation with ComicBook.com that performance capture work is still ongoing for the project. Baker mentioned participating in a recent table read for the game’s story, indicating that the narrative elements are still being finalized and recorded. This aligns with the insiders’ reports suggesting a 2027 release window at the earliest.
The Bigger Picture: Naughty Dog’s Console Generation Gap
The potential delay of Intergalactic until 2027 or later raises interesting questions about Naughty Dog’s development cycle and the current console generation. If the game doesn’t release until 2027, it would mean Naughty Dog has effectively skipped an entire console generation without releasing a new original IP.
The PlayStation 5 launched in late 2020, and if Intergalactic doesn’t arrive until 2027, it would be releasing in the twilight years of the console’s lifecycle, possibly even overlapping with the expected PlayStation 6 launch window. This is particularly noteworthy given that Naughty Dog has traditionally been one of Sony’s flagship studios, known for releasing system-selling titles early in console generations.
This extended development time can be attributed to several factors. First, Naughty Dog has been working on multiple projects simultaneously, including the now-cancelled The Last of Us Online, which likely diverted resources and attention from Intergalactic. Second, the studio’s commitment to pushing technical boundaries means that developing for new hardware often requires additional time to master. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly impacted development timelines, as it did for studios worldwide.
Why the Delay Might Actually Be Good News?
While the news of Intergalactic’s extended development timeline might disappoint eager fans, there are several reasons why this could ultimately benefit the final product. Naughty Dog has built its reputation on delivering polished, groundbreaking experiences, and rushing Intergalactic to meet an arbitrary deadline would go against everything the studio stands for.
Consider the studio’s track record: The Last of Us Part II was in development for approximately six years and went on to win numerous Game of the Year awards. The original Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End also had a protracted development cycle but was widely praised for its refined gameplay and emotional storytelling. If Intergalactic requires similar time to reach its full potential, most fans would agree that the wait is worth it.
Additionally, a 2027 release would allow Intergalactic to benefit from several more years of PlayStation 5 hardware optimization. Developers typically become more proficient with console hardware as the generation progresses, often unlocking new techniques and capabilities that weren’t possible at launch. This could result in a more technically impressive and visually stunning game than would have been possible with an earlier release.
The Competitive Landscape: Smart Timing or Missed Opportunity?
From a business perspective, delaying Intergalactic until 2027 could be a strategic move to avoid competing with other major releases. The gaming landscape for 2026 is already shaping up to be incredibly crowded, with heavyweights like Grand Theft Auto VI and Marvel’s Wolverine expected to dominate the sales charts and media attention.
By targeting a 2027 release, Naughty Dog could ensure that Intergalactic has the spotlight to itself, maximizing its commercial potential and critical reception. This approach has served the studio well in the past, with titles like The Last of Us Part II launching in relatively quiet periods to maximize their impact.
However, there’s also a risk involved in such a long development cycle. The gaming industry moves quickly, and player expectations evolve rapidly. What seems innovative and exciting today might feel dated by 2027, especially in the fast-moving sci-fi genre. Naughty Dog will need to ensure that Intergalactic’s themes, gameplay mechanics, and visual style remain fresh and relevant throughout its extended development period.
What This Means for The Game Awards 2025?
With Intergalactic reportedly absent from this year’s ceremony, what can fans expect from The Game Awards 2025? The show will still likely feature plenty of exciting reveals and updates, but Naughty Dog’s presence will be missed. The studio has a history of making significant announcements at Geoff Keighley’s annual event, and their absence creates a notable gap in the lineup.
This doesn’t mean The Game Awards 2025 will be without major surprises, however. Other Sony studios might step up with their own announcements, and there are always third-party publishers ready to showcase their latest projects. Additionally, Nintendo could potentially reveal more details about their next-generation hardware, which would certainly generate significant buzz.
For Intergalactic specifically, the absence from The Game Awards doesn’t mean we won’t get any updates in 2025. Naughty Dog could choose to reveal new information through their own channels, such as a PlayStation Blog post or a dedicated State of Play presentation. The studio has been known to control the narrative around their projects carefully, and they might prefer to unveil Intergalactic’s next trailer on their own terms rather than as part of a larger showcase.
The Fan Reaction: Disappointment Meets Understanding
As news of Intergalactic’s extended timeline has spread, fan reactions have been mixed but generally understanding. On platforms like Reddit and Twitter, many fans have expressed disappointment at having to wait longer for the game, but there’s also a recognition that Naughty Dog’s deliberate approach to development usually pays off in the end.
“I’d be a little disappointed,” one fan commented on the Game Rant article. “I’m a big Naughty Dog fan, so it’s one of my most-anticipated at the moment.” This sentiment has been echoed across various gaming communities, with many acknowledging that while the wait is frustrating, the potential payoff makes it worthwhile.
Some fans have also pointed out that the extended development period could allow Naughty Dog to address concerns about crunch culture and working conditions that have plagued the studio in the past. By taking more time with Intergalactic, the studio might be able to create a healthier work environment for their employees while still delivering the high-quality experiences fans expect.
Looking Ahead: When Will We See Intergalactic Again?
While The Game Awards 2025 might not feature Intergalactic, there are still several potential opportunities for Naughty Dog to showcase the game in the coming year. Sony’s State of Play presentations are likely candidates, as are dedicated PlayStation Showcase events. Additionally, gaming conventions like Summer Game Fest or Gamescom could provide platforms for new reveals.
Given that performance capture is still ongoing, it’s unlikely that we’ll see extensive gameplay footage in the near future. However, a new cinematic trailer or story-focused presentation could help maintain interest in the project while giving fans more insight into the world and characters of Intergalactic.
The most realistic timeline suggests that we might get another substantial update around mid-2026, with a full gameplay reveal closer to the game’s launch in 2027. This would follow a similar pattern to other major Naughty Dog releases, which typically have multiple marketing beats in the year leading up to launch.
Conclusion: The Long Wait for Intergalactic
The news that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet may be a no-show at The Game Awards 2025 is undoubtedly disappointing for fans who were hoping for an update on one of last year’s most exciting reveals. However, when viewed through the lens of Naughty Dog’s development philosophy and the broader gaming landscape, this delay makes perfect sense.
Naughty Dog has never been a studio to rush products to market, and their commitment to quality over speed has resulted in some of the most acclaimed games in history. If Intergalactic requires additional time to reach its full potential, most fans would agree that the wait is worth it. The reported 2027 release window, while distant, positions the game to benefit from years of hardware optimization and avoids competing with other major releases.
As we look toward The Game Awards 2025 and beyond, the absence of Intergalactic serves as a reminder of the careful, deliberate approach that defines Naughty Dog’s development process. While the wait may be long, the potential reward—a groundbreaking new IP from one of gaming’s most respected studios—makes it a journey worth taking. For now, fans will have to content themselves with replaying Naughty Dog’s classics while keeping their eyes peeled for any future updates on the studio’s most ambitious project to date.