Multiple reliable reporters say Intergalactic won’t show at The Game Awards and isn’t a 2026 release, which points to a 2027 window that actually fits Naughty Dog’s playbook. Hiring in QA and localization signals a late phase, but not “ship-ready”—this studio iterates hard on performance, pacing, and systems, and early chatter about stronger RPG elements will need that polish. Spacing away from Sony’s 2026 slate (Saros, Wolverine) also gives Intergalactic clean air and the flexibility to scale across PS5/PS5 Pro while positioning near early PS6 timing for advanced lighting, density, and AI without a messy retrofit