What We Know About The Last of Us 3
With The Last of Us universe once again at the center of the agenda due to the HBO series, eyes have naturally turned to the third game. Naughty Dog has not yet made an official announcement for The Last of Us 3, but the clues given by studio head Neil Druckmann over the years show that this possibility should not be completely ignored. Although there is no clear project for now, the fact that the studio has left the door ajar continues to create excitement for fans of the series.
If the Stars Align, The Last of Us 3 May Come
Neil Druckmann emphasizes in recent interviews that The Last of Us 3 can only come to life with a strong idea in terms of creativity. Although Naughty Dog’s entire focus is currently on their new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Druckmann has stated in recent years that he is thinking about “a concept” for the third game. Although it is stated that this concept has not yet turned into a script, it is thought that the right idea at the right time can change everything, just like the release process of the second game.
According to Druckmann, The Last of Us Part II has a “satisfying ending” for itself. However, Ellie and Abby’s survival shows that the series could potentially continue. It was also revealed that the studio had previously worked on a story outline focused on the Tommy character, but that this idea had not turned into a full game. Naughty Dog may already have alternative narratives set in this universe.
While the HBO series brings a new breath to The Last of Us brand, it also shapes expectations for a possible third game. The second season of the series will bring the story of the second game to the screens, and this process is planned to be spread over at least two seasons. While showrunner Craig Mazin emphasizes that they do not plan to carry the story beyond the games, this situation could also strengthen the narrative foundation of a third game. The series and the game progressing parallel to each other could prepare the right ground for a new episode.
It is impossible to give a release date for a game that is not yet in development. However, considering Naughty Dog’s current projects, it is thought that a possible third game could be postponed to a period after 2027. Whether the game will be released on PlayStation 5 or a next-generation platform such as PlayStation 6 is another matter of curiosity. In addition, Sony’s strategies for PC in recent years raise the possibility that the third game could come to this platform after a while.
Naughty Dog has announced that it is currently working on two single-player projects. One of them is Intergalactic, while the other is still a mystery. Although it is unclear whether this mysterious project is The Last of Us 3, rumors in the industry and the studio’s history reinforce this possibility. Nevertheless, Druckmann and his team clearly state that they would prefer to return to this series only when they want to tell a story that comes from within, as they have in the past.
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