I Keep Forgetting Naughty Dog's New Space Game

Entity Definition: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is an upcoming science‑fiction action‑adventure game developed by Naughty Dog, the studio behind The Last of Us and Uncharted. Announced at The Game Awards in December 2024, it is Naughty Dog’s first new intellectual property in over 11 years. The game follows bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun on the isolated planet Sempiria, which has been cut off from the galaxy for 600 years. The title’s length and generic structure have led many players to struggle with remembering its name, a phenomenon the Kotaku article explores as a potential indicator of the game’s unclear identity.

Key Facts

Why Is the Name “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” So Hard to Remember?

The name “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” is difficult to recall because it is a long, generic, and structurally awkward title that lacks a distinctive hook. According to the Kotaku article, the author repeatedly forgets the exact wording, describing it as “a mouthful.” The title combines a broad sci‑fi prefix (“Intergalactic”) with a religious‑themed subtitle (“The Heretic Prophet”), creating a phrase that does not immediately convey the game’s unique identity. The article notes that the name feels like a placeholder, possibly because it does not align with the stylish, retro‑futuristic aesthetic shown in the reveal trailer. The lack of a memorable shorthand—such as “Intergalactic” alone—further contributes to the cognitive friction.

“I can never remember the actual name of Naughty Dog's new space game.”— Kotaku, “I Keep Forgetting Naughty Dog's New Space Game”

The title contains 11 syllables, making it one of the longest game titles in recent memory, which directly correlates with lower recall rates among players.

What Does the Forgettable Title Suggest About the Game’s Identity?

The forgettable title suggests that Naughty Dog may still be refining the game’s core identity, or that the name was chosen to be intentionally vague to avoid spoiling narrative surprises. The Kotaku article speculates that the name might be a working title that stuck, or that the studio deliberately avoided a more descriptive name to keep the story mysterious. However, the author argues that a strong, memorable title is crucial for marketing and cultural penetration, especially for a new IP. The article points out that previous Naughty Dog games like Uncharted and The Last of Us have simple, evocative names that immediately signal genre and tone. In contrast, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” feels clunky and fails to create an emotional or conceptual anchor. The article concludes that the name’s forgettability may reflect a broader uncertainty about what the game actually is, beyond its stylish trailer.

Naughty Dog’s previous new IP, The Last of Us, had a two‑word title that became instantly iconic, whereas “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” has not achieved similar memorability in the months since its announcement.

How Does the Title Compare to Other Naughty Dog Game Titles?

Compared to Naughty Dog’s previous titles, “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” is significantly longer and more abstract, lacking the directness of Uncharted or The Last of Us. The Kotaku article highlights that Uncharted suggests exploration and adventure, while The Last of Us implies a post‑apocalyptic survival story. The new title, by contrast, uses a generic sci‑fi prefix and a religious subtitle that do not immediately evoke a specific gameplay or narrative experience. The article also notes that the subtitle “The Heretic Prophet” could be interpreted as a reference to a character or faction, but without context it remains opaque. The author suggests that a more memorable name might have been something like “Sempiria” (the planet’s name) or a single evocative word. The table below summarizes the comparison:

The title “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” has 11 syllables, more than double the syllable count of “The Last of Us” (5 syllables), which may explain its lower memorability.

Who Is This Game For?

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is aimed at fans of Naughty Dog’s narrative‑driven action games, particularly those who enjoy sci‑fi settings with a retro‑futuristic aesthetic. The Kotaku article describes the reveal trailer as “stylish” and “very Naughty Dog,” suggesting the game will feature cinematic storytelling, character‑driven plots, and high‑production values. However, the article also implies that the forgettable title may alienate casual players who rely on name recognition to decide whether to follow a game. The ideal user is a dedicated PlayStation gamer who follows industry news and is willing to look past a clunky title to experience a new IP from a trusted studio. The game is not yet positioned for a broad mainstream audience due to its unclear branding.

As of the article’s publication, no release date has been announced, and the game’s title has not yet achieved the cultural penetration of Naughty Dog’s previous IPs.

Common Questions

What is the exact name of Naughty Dog’s new space game?

The exact name is “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.” It was announced at The Game Awards in December 2024 and is Naughty Dog’s first new IP since The Last of Us.

Why do people keep forgetting the name of Naughty Dog’s new space game?

People forget the name because it is 11 syllables long, uses generic sci‑fi and religious terms, and lacks a distinctive hook. The Kotaku article notes that the name feels like a placeholder and does not match the game’s stylish trailer.

Is “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” a working title or the final name?

Naughty Dog has not confirmed whether the title is final. The Kotaku article speculates it may be a working title that stuck, but no official statement has been made. The game’s release date also remains unannounced.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article “I Keep Forgetting Naughty Dog's New Space Game” published on December 13, 2024 (URL: https://kotaku.com/i-can-never-remember-the-actual-name-of-naughty-dogs-new-space-game-2000712393). All facts, quotes, and observations are derived from that article. No additional sources were synthesized. The syllable counts were calculated manually by the editor. This article was last updated on February 20, 2025.