Naughty Dog To Develop The Last of Us Part 3 For PlayStation 6

Since the release of The Last of Us Part I, Naughty Dog has established itself as one of the most brilliant game developers in the business. Thanks to the studio's ability to create stories and innovate with gameplay, The Last of Us is one of the most beloved and talked-about franchises in gaming history. However, many fans continue to wonder if The Last of Us Part III will be released.

In a recent interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president and series creator Neil Druckmann addressed this speculation—and his reaction may not have been what fans were hoping for. Druckmann was asked about the franchise's future during the conversation. His response was less than reassuring: "I guess the only thing I would say is don't expect more of The Last of Us*. "This could be it".

Such a remark contrasts with his comments last year, when he hinted that he had discovered the "perfect concept" for a third installment. Since then, due to Sony's unwillingness, Naughty Dog wanted to keep working on The Last of Us multiplayer project, which eventually got canceled, and they unveiled a new IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, refocusing the studio's efforts.

Based on a hidden Easter egg in its reveal trailer, Intergalactic is not expected to be released until at least 2027, so any hypothetical sequel to The Last of Us Part II would most likely appear around 2030. The extended production cycles of Naughty Dog's prior games suggest that if Part III does happen, fans will have to wait years for formal confirmation.

Despite Druckmann's latest statement, many people doubt that Sony, Naughty Dog, or Druckmann himself will quit one of PlayStation's most successful properties. The Last of Us franchise has sold over 37 million copies combined, making it one of PlayStation's most successful IPs. The Last of Us HBO adaptation became one of HBO's most popular series, with over 30 million viewers per episode.

Not to mention that The Last of Us Part II holds the record for the most Game of the Year accolades ever given to a single game. Given this level of success, it is doubtful that Sony would abandon such a profitable and critically renowned series. Even if Druckmann is cautious, PlayStation has a history of returning to its most popular titles, as evidenced by God of War, Spider-Man, and Horizon.

Given Naughty Dog's development cycles, The Last of Us Part III is more likely to be a PlayStation 6 title than a late PS5 game. One of the defining features of The Last of Us Part II was its daring and unique storytelling. Rather than focusing primarily on Joel and Ellie's friendship after the first game, the sequel featured controversial creative decisions, such as Joel's stunning early death and the debatable introduction of Abby as a second protagonist.

For some, The Last of Us Part II gave a gratifying but heartbreaking finale. Others say the tale is incomplete and that a third game should delve deeper into the setting and wrap up Ellie and Abby's arcs. However, as Druckmann mentioned, if The Last of Us Part III never materializes, it could be because there isn't a compelling story to tell. While the game franchise's future is unknown, The Last of Us continues to thrive in other mediums. HBO's version of the game was a critical and commercial success, and Season 2 is highly anticipated.

Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have indicated that The Last of Us Part II's story will be spread across numerous seasons, implying that a possible Season 3 is already in the works. If the program continues to be successful, it may put pressure on Naughty Dog to return to The Last of Us for a sequel or possibly a spin-off game. With The Last of Us still dominating pop culture, it's hardly a surprise that Sony and Naughty Dog found a way to keep the brand going in some form.

While a full-fledged Part III is unclear, there is always the chance of spin-offs or standalone projects set in The Last of Us universe. Naughty Dog has never considered spin-offs for The Last of Us, but with the multiplayer project scrapped, is a standalone game an option? A prospective spin-off may focus on Ellie's mother, Anna, or elaborate on Tommy's backstory, Abby's organization, or other survivors around the world.

Given the success of single-player expansions like Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and The Last of Us: Left Behind, a smaller side story may be a realistic option. For the time being, it appears that Naughty Dog is focusing on redefining Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Druckmann's most recent comments indicate that The Last of Us Part III is not currently in development. However, history has proven that PlayStation's most popular franchises rarely leave forever.