Neil Druckmann did not change the Intergalactic script after The Last of Us, but took into account the experience of working on the series

Neil Druckmann says his time working on HBO’s television adaptation of The Last of Us did not change how he writes game scripts, but the on-set experience has informed development work on his current project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Speaking with The Washington Post, Druckmann clarified that he did not help shape the creative direction of The Last of Us season 3 and that Naughty Dog had no creative role in that season. He had served as writer and showrunner for the first two seasons before stepping away to concentrate on the studio’s next game.

Druckmann noted that television production forces creators to account for many details that matter less in game development, citing lighting, makeup and other production elements. He said lessons from working on the show are being applied to Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

He also confirmed that Naughty Dog has not closed the book on The Last of Us franchise, though he did not specify whether that means a full-fledged The Last of Us Part 3 or other projects within the universe.

Intergalactic remains Druckmann’s primary focus. Given that more than six years have passed since Naughty Dog’s last game release, any new mainline entry in The Last of Us series is likely still a long way off.