As we approach the one-year anniversary of the reveal of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, speculation around the game's release date is beginning to build. Video game journalist Colin Moriarty, known for his strong track record with PlayStation news, recently speculated on the Dan Allen Gaming podcast that the game may appear at The Game Awards in December. He suggested a possible 2026 release, while noting it could still slip.
"Maybe they will delay it, but based on the way they're hiring and also things I'm hearing about people interacting with the game—and they're also hiring for localization now—they're getting into the end," Moriarty said. "It's a sign that everything is kinda locked down and content complete. I wouldn't be surprised if it was out this time next year."
Given Moriarty’s prominence in the industry, his comments were quickly circulated in headlines, prompting additional journalists to weigh in.
Fellow reporter Jeff Grubb pushed back on what he called a “misquote,” stating: “It will not be shown at The Game Awards.”
Bloomberg News' Jason Schreier, another prominent video game journalist, also stated matter-of-factly that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is not coming out in 2026. Responding to some comments, Schreier also added that he does not agree with Moriarity's sentiment that the game is further along than many of us expect.
"Can't comment on who other people talk to. I can assure you that Intergalactic isn't coming out in 2026 because people familiar with the game's development timeline have told me that it is not coming out in 2026," Schreier said. He didn’t elaborate on his sources, but clarified that “people familiar” doesn’t necessarily refer to senior leadership at Naughty Dog -- only that they are individuals who are aware of the game's development timeline.
Out of fear that his prediction would turn into news headlines, Schreier wouldn't go on to offer his own speculation as to when Intergalactic would be released.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was first revealed on December 12, 2024, at The Game Awards. It's Naughty Dog's first new IP in over a decade as the studio begins to move away from Uncharted and The Last of Us. The game stars Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who becomes stranded on the isolated, distant planet of Sempiria.
Set thousands of years in the future, Intergalactic puts players into the role of Jordan A. Mun, a dangerous bounty hunter who ends up stranded on Sempiria – a distant planet whose communication with the outside universe went dark hundreds of years ago. Jordan will have to use all her skills and wits if she hopes to be the first person in over 600 years to leave its orbit.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was announced for PlayStation 5, but a release date for 2027 may start to push it into PS6 territory. Sony has not yet announced a new console, but there are rumors that the company is already working on the next console generation.