A rumor that is no longer a rumor... Following the success of the series on HBO and the remastered versions on PS5, The Last of Us Part III has now been officially announced, and more precisely, is in development. The announcement was made by Neil Druckmann, one of the masterminds behind Naughty Dog. This confirmation puts an end to months of speculation and feverish anticipation on the part of fans.
The Last of Us, with its captivating story and deeply human characters, has established itself as a major PlayStation franchise, accumulating over 37 million sales worldwide since its launch. Following the triumph of the HBO TV series and recent revamps of previous episodes, the announcement of a third opus seemed inevitable.
Neil Druckmann made the news official in a documentary dedicated to the creation of The Last of Us Part II, revealing that the project was in development, or at least in an advanced conceptual phase. This new iteration promises to deal with themes dear to its predecessors, while following in the footsteps of the saga that explored such notions as unconditional love and the quest for justice.
"I asked myself, is there a concept here for a sequel? And for years I couldn't find it, but recently things have changed. I don't have the story yet, but I do have a concept that, for me, is as exciting as the others and is a thing in its own right, while having a common guideline for all three games. So there will probably be one more chapter to this story", confides Neil Druckmann, fuelling enthusiasm and speculation around this future chapter.
The announcement of The Last of Us 3 raises many questions and expectations. The franchise, which began as a story of survival in a post-apocalyptic world, has become a cultural phenomenon, transcending the video game medium to reach a wider audience thanks to the HBO series. Naughty Dog, renowned for its narrative and technical excellence, is back in the spotlight, with the promise of pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling even further. The confirmation of this third opus not only illustrates the studio's ongoing commitment to its fans, but also opens the door to new thematic and narrative explorations.
Naughty Dog, under the leadership of Neil Druckmann, is thus embarking on an ambitious project, seeking to enrich a saga already rich in emotions and reflections on the human condition. "Thegreat thing about working at Naughty Dog is that we're under no obligation to do anything," says Neil Druckmann, emphasizing the creative freedom and ambition that drive the studio. He continues:"We'd love to work on another Last of Us, but if you're passionate about something else, we'll support that something else. It's a very privileged position. I never take that for granted. With a concept that promises to be as captivating as the previous games, the future of The Last of Us seems not only assured, but also particularly promising. Stay tuned!
