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Exodus release date confirmed for April 2027, a spiritual successor to Mass Effect
Archetype Entertainment has confirmed that the sci-fi RPG Exodus will be released on April 7, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game features choice-based mechanics and a time dilation feature, positioning it as a spiritual successor to Mass Effect. New gameplay footage was also revealed at Gamescom, showcasing companions Salt and Emrys.
The Last of Us, Uncharted Actor Announces He is Part of Intergalactic’s Cast
Voice actor Robin Atkin Downes has confirmed his involvement in Naughty Dog's upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive, Intergalactic. Downes, who previously worked with Naughty Dog on the Uncharted and The Last of Us franchises, expressed excitement about returning to the studio. The article also mentions other cast members, including Troy Baker, Neil Druckmann, Merle Dandridge, and Tony Dalton, and hints at a potential mid-2027 release.
Work on now-canceled The Last of Us Online caused the huge gap in Naughty Dog’s release cycle
Naughty Dog has canceled its ambitious online multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe due to its massive scope, which diverted resources from other projects. This decision has contributed to a significant gap between the studio's major releases and reflects Sony's struggles with its push into live service games.
How Odyssey and Spider-Man could ensure an Uncharted 5 video game - Reader’s Feature
A reader suggests that the lack of a second Uncharted movie could increase the importance of a new game in the franchise. The author believes Sony Interactive Entertainment and Naughty Dog are slow to produce sequels, but the potential fading of the Uncharted IP might prompt Sony to develop a new installment, possibly for the PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 6, especially with Tom Holland unlikely to return for a movie role.
Three PS1 Legends Hit Their 30th Birthday in 2026
In 2026, several iconic PlayStation 1 games will celebrate their 30th anniversaries, including Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil. These titles, launched in 1996, were instrumental in establishing the PlayStation's legacy and introduced characters and franchises that remain popular today. While some original games show their age, their impact on the industry and their respective series is undeniable.
Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic Adds An Actor From The Last Of Us And Uncharted
Robin Atkin Downes, known for his roles in The Last of Us and Uncharted, has joined the cast of Naughty Dog's upcoming PlayStation 5 title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. While his specific role is undisclosed, Downes expressed excitement about the project. The game, set thousands of years in the future, features Tati Gabrielle as the lead and a soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Cast Expands With Uncharted, The Last of Us Veteran
Veteran voice actor Robin Atkin Downes has joined the cast of Naughty Dog's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Downes has previously lent his voice to other Naughty Dog titles, including Uncharted and The Last of Us.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet shows first signs of life in months as Naughty Dog adds an Uncharted and The Last of…
Actor Robin Atkin Downes announced he is joining the cast of Naughty Dog's upcoming single-player game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Downes has a long history with the studio, having worked on multiple Uncharted titles and The Last of Us. This marks the first significant update on the mysterious sci-fi project in nearly two years.
The opportunity cost of Sony's live service pivot is enormous | Opinion
The article argues that Sony's pivot to live service games has incurred enormous opportunity costs, particularly for its first-party studios like Guerrilla Games. This strategic misstep has led to significant delays in major exclusive titles for the PlayStation 5, potentially impacting the console's lifecycle and Sony's relationship with consumers. The author suggests that the long-term damage to the brand and product pipeline may outweigh the direct financial investments in live service projects.
Naughty Dog Never Treated The Last of Us Online as Filler — and Intergalactic’s Team Mostly Formed After the Cancellation
Naughty Dog's canceled multiplayer game, The Last of Us Online, was treated as a tentpole release rather than a filler project, according to Jason Schreier. Most of the team now working on the unannounced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet only joined after The Last of Us Online was scrapped, having spent seven years in development before its cancellation at approximately 80% completion due to the challenges of live service support.
The live-service elements of Horizon Hunters Gathering are reportedly being stripped out following 'poor feedback' as new details emerge about several canceled PlayStation titles
Guerrilla Games is reportedly overhauling its upcoming live-service title Horizon Hunters Gathering, removing its multiplayer-focused features and shifting to a traditional cooperative multiplayer game with a story mode and smaller scope due to negative playtest feedback. This change comes as part of Sony's broader, and reportedly troubled, initiative to push its single-player focused studios into the live-service market, with several other PlayStation live-service projects, including a God of War game from Bluepoint and an online Spider-Man title from Insomniac, having been canceled.
The Last of Us Online Was Not a 'Side Project,' Majority of Intergalactic's Team Came Over After Multiplayer Game Was Scrapped
Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Online was a significant undertaking and a primary reason for the studio's lack of new game releases since 2020. The multiplayer game's cancellation impacted the development of other projects.
Former Naughty Dog Designer Comments on Cutting Down Long Development Cycles and “Waste”
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell believes that the studio, and other AAA developers, can shorten lengthy development cycles by establishing a clear 'North Star' early on. This central goal can help align siloed teams and reduce waste, potentially cutting years off projects like the upcoming sci-fi title Intergalactic.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune "is rough around the edges," ex-Naughty Dog designer says, and "went through a whole lot of hell during development"
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell described the development of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune as tumultuous, citing issues with ditching old technology for the PlayStation 3 and a lack of clear direction. Despite its rough edges and a difficult development cycle, Russell expressed pride in the game's achievements and its role in launching the successful Uncharted franchise.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Developer Reveals the Game Had Dynamic Difficulty to Stop Players From Finishing It Too Quickly
A former Naughty Dog developer revealed that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune featured dynamic difficulty scaling. This design choice was implemented to prevent players from completing the game too quickly.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet "might need to be edited" to avoid "another Last of Us 2 situation," former Naughty Dog dev warns
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell warns that the studio's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, might need editing to avoid the prolonged development issues seen with The Last of Us Part II. Russell suggests Naughty Dog's current six-year development cycle for the new IP is unsustainable and could lead to a similar outcome if not managed effectively.
Uncharted difficulty was tuned to "slow the player down if they were too good," says Naughty Dog designer: "We can't charge 60 bucks for a 5-hour game"
Former Naughty Dog developer Benson Russell revealed that the original Uncharted's difficulty was intentionally tuned to slow players down if they were performing too well, to extend the game's perceived length. This dynamic difficulty system was based on average encounter times, with the game becoming harder if players finished combat too quickly. While present in all three original games, the system in Uncharted 2 and 3 was adjusted to better match player skill rather than artificially prolong the experience.
An Uncharted remake would feel "like a cash grab," says OG designer who thinks Naughty Dog should make a new…
Original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune designer Benson Russell believes a remake of the game would feel like a "cash grab" and that Naughty Dog should instead focus on creating a new entry in the series. He argues that existing remasters are sufficient for players to experience the original title and that a remake would necessitate story changes that alter the game's spirit.
Matthew McConaughey Discusses Passing On Playing Joel In The Last Of Us Show
Matthew McConaughey revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he passed on playing Joel in HBO's The Last of Us series, stating it wasn't for him at the time and would have required a multi-year commitment. He was focusing on writing and leadership roles then, while showrunner Craig Mazin confirmed discussions but noted it was not a definite offer. The series, starring Pedro Pascal as Joel, has been a critical and commercial success.
Former Uncharted Dev On Possible New Remake Or Remaster: “What’s The Point?”
Benson Russell, a designer on the original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, questions the necessity of a remake or remaster for the 2007 game, stating it's still relevant and available on modern platforms. He suggests a new entry in the franchise would be more valuable than a "cash grab" remake, a sentiment echoed by past Sony considerations. While some developers like Shigeru Miyamoto defend remakes for introducing games to new audiences and funding new projects, Russell believes Naughty Dog should focus on creating new experiences.