Naughty Dog, the studio behind The Last of Us and Uncharted, may explore the fantasy genre next, if concept art shared by the team’s Senior Concept Artist is any indication. Since the PlayStation studio developer has spent the last decade switching between the two aforementioned properties, it would seem the time is right for something new.
Following The Last of Us Part II’s release last summer, series co-creator and studio co-president Neil Druckmann said Naughty Dog’s next endeavor would either center on The Last of Us Part III or something new. Whatever’s on the docket seems as though it may already be in the works to some degree, given that the studio is openly hiring for a new project. According to another tease from Druckmann, the project in question will be “very cool.”
Recently, a Senior Concept Artist at Naughty Dog, Hyoung Nam, added three new pieces of concept art to his ArtStation page. The three images, which are fantasy-esque in nature, embody what Nam’s title refers to as “The Women of North.” In addition, the following caption accompanies the posts: “Inspire [sic] from new game. You know what I’m talking about…” One of the pieces depicts what Nam describes as a Dragonslayer. The final two portray a tribal woman and a female mage, respectively.
If this is indeed a hint concerning Naughty Dog’s next game, it certainly seems in line with Neil Druckmann’s “very cool” tease. It would be nice to see the studio step out of its comfort zone to explore something a little less grounded, and a lot more fantastical. Sure, there are mythical creatures, as well as strange instances of magic, in Uncharted, but nothing as outside of the box as a dragonslayer or a full-on mage. Of course, players shouldn’t get their hopes up – even if these images are more than personal projects of the artist’s, plenty of forever-unmade games get concept art in their pre-planning phases.
There’s no way of knowing when Naughty Dog plans to officially announce its next game. For context, the original Uncharted 4 reveal went live during a PlayStation 4 launch stream, only five months after The Last of Us‘ 2013 arrival. Sony initially unveiled The Last of Us Part II at 2016’s PlayStation Experience, approximately seven months after Uncharted 4 hit stores shelves. Obviously, as of now, the pattern hasn’t repeated itself. It’s understandable, though, since Naughty Dog still has to showcase and release TLoU Part II’s multiplayer suite, Factions. When details on it will finally emerge remains to be seen.
