Naughty Dog's New Game Is 'Testing the Bounds,' Troy Baker Says

Troy Baker teases that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is pushing Naughty Dog to new heights, praising Tati Gabrielle's performance and hinting at something special.

Ever wonder what it takes to blow gamers' minds? According to Troy Baker, Naughty Dog's next big thing is about to do exactly that.

At Ottawa Comiccon earlier this month, the man behind some of gaming's most iconic characters didn't hold back when talking about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. "You guys are going to have your minds blown," Baker told the crowd, covering his mouth and closing his eyes for dramatic effect. "You are not ready. You are not ready. It's so good."

Baker, who's also part of the cast, revealed that Naughty Dog recently wrapped performance capture for the new IP. But what really got him excited was talking about star Tati Gabrielle, who plays main character Jordan A. Mun. He compared her casting to Ashley Johnson's legendary turn as Ellie in The Last of Us. "I don't know how [Neil Druckmann] found two amazing actors," Baker said. "He found Ashley for Ellie, and he found Tati for Jordan. It's like, what? How do you do that?"

According to Baker, Gabrielle is more than just a new face—she's a "spiritual successor" to the studio's legacy. "There is so much about Jordan and that game of Intergalactic that feels like… man, I feel all of it," he explained. "I feel Uncharted, I feel The Last of Us, I feel something new. They are testing the bounds of what that studio is capable of. Everything that I've seen, they are delivering, and it's going to be incredible."

Since its reveal at The Game Awards 2024, details about Intergalactic have been scarce. Druckmann has called it "incredible" and the "most ambitious game" Naughty Dog has made, but the only real look we've gotten is that first trailer. The studio has also been quiet at State of Plays and hasn't released a new game in seven years. We already knew it would miss 2026, but rumors suggest a 2027 launch might be the target.

The performance capture milestone is a promising sign. The Last of Us Part 2 hit a similar point about a year before its 2020 release, so if history repeats itself, we could learn more sooner rather than later. For now, though, there's no official launch schedule.

Baker also touched on the future of The Last of Us series during his panel, simply saying "We'll see" with crossed fingers. In the meantime, The Last of Us Day 2026 gave fans something to chew on while they wait.

What do you think? Are you ready for whatever Naughty Dog is cooking up? Let us know in the comments!