Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann has confirmed during an episode of the Script Apart podcast that he and co-writer Halley Gross have completed work on a story outline to a sequel to The Last of Us: Part II. When asked about the possibility of a follow-up to Ellie and Abby's journey through Seattle and beyond, Druckmann explained: "I don’t know how much I want to reveal... [co-writer Halley Gross] and I did write an outline for a story, that we're not making – but I hope one day can see the light of day – that explores a little bit what happens after this game. We’ll see."
He then goes on to say there have been a lot of internal discussions at Naughty Dog concerning the possibility of another entry in the series, but stressed how much work, time, and effort goes into making them. "After we finish one of our big titles, we take a long time to explore different ideas, whether it’s going to be Last of Us III, whether it's something new, whether there's some old franchise we want to go back to. I like to fully explore all of those, then look at, like: okay, we have all of these ideas in front of us. As a studio, what do we want to commit to? Because it’s a huge commitment – monetary, time, passion, talent, so you think about all the opportunity costs that come with that."
Of course, recent reports suggest Naughty Dog is working on its multiplayer spin-off to The Last of Us as well as a full remake of the original game. There's also the assumption that a new IP has to be part of its plans. Do you want to see a third entry in The Last of Us saga? Where should it take Ellie and Abby next? Let us know in the comments below.
[source podcasts.apple.com, via ign.com]
Comments (101)
At least we know its coming. That's enough for me.
This will probably be out late in console's life cycle... You know, like every TLOU so far
Didn’t want a sequel, got it and loved it.
Don’t really want a Part III, but if it comes i’m sure it’ll be great.
Kinda excited to see what new IP Naughty Dog can make following the journeys of Uncharted and TLOU
I finished Part:2 last week. Went in completely spoiler-free somehow.
Arguably the single greatest video game story ever told.
Outside like a 15sec scene in a near 30hour game that I didn’t have to see I saw no issues. Like everything the internet takes the smallest thing & blows it out of proportion.
Bring on Part 3, but I’m excited to know that the next game seems to be something different. Hopefully Savage Starlight😁!
Obviously it'd be awesome to see Naughty Dog do something new, but I personally would love a third The Last of Us game.
I want to see ND do something new - and TLOU 2 was one of my favourite PS4 games. I think Ellie's story is done, and i dread to think what backlash there will be if its an Abby based sequel (even though i personally like the character)
Last gen was ND's first without a new ip though, so i'd love to see them tackle something new
I read a rumour a while back that some other developer was going to work on Uncharted. They will probably do something between TLOU2 and TLOU3. Hopefully when they come to the third game, they won't waste the big "WTF!!" moment within the games first hour.
I kind of hope that they will do like a "Beyond Two Souls" chronological order cut for TloU2.
Kinda curious when the multiplayer is coming, given the time taken so far and the lack of any details whatsoever I have to assume this is going to be so much more than just a fleshed out version of the first game’s pvp modes.
Hopefully TLOU2 was just a dream and we can get back to Joel being the real hero...😀
@Steel76 Sounds like that's exactly what's happening
Can't wait for this, they need to cap the trilogy and finish Ellie's story once and for all. It's too big an IP for them to let slide. Plus it'll p*ss off all the right-wing trolls who negged on TLOU2 last year.
However, before they do that I'd like to see the remake cancelled as there's no need for one and instead have TLOU1&2 upgraded for the PS5 with higher framerates and resolutions.
I won’t say no to a part 3 but I can wait. I’m still getting over the trauma from part 2, can’t listen to future days by Pearl jam without welling up 😢
I loved 2. Thought it was game of the year last year. That said, and as much as I love Naughty Dog, I really think they need to expand the players toolset in whatever they do next. The formula, although a good one, is beginning to get too predictable.
I'd like a bigger inventory, better crafting, and maybe not touch the left stick and lumber and lurch in that direction like a drunken toddler.
@get2sammyb "Obviously it'd be awesome to see Naughty Dog do something new"
Yeah no kidding 😐 I was bored just reading the title of the article and I mostly liked TLOU2. If Naughty Dog doesn't want to be labeled a one trick pony or Sony's very own 343 studios they need to do something else... anything else.
I’m for TLOU3, PS5 only of course
And show us what this beast of a console can do.
I’m sure they can add new gameplay mechanics etc, made available with a new generation.
NOOOooooo
as much as I loved the second, we don't need a third...
It's the same as Uncharted: the stories, the characters were left "in a good place" and it should be left that way...
I acknowledge the talent and creativity of Neil Druckmann, But I believe he is making a mistake of pushing this series further...
Yeah, probably late in the PS5's lifespan. Would love to see that sci-fi superhero game that they've been ''hinting'' at come to fruition. ND's own sci-fi Marvel-esque universe, would be neat I think.
There goes my hope that they'd do a new, more cheerful IP for PS5 gen.
(this is under the assumption that factions is their next thing, maybe even a PS5 upgrade of TLOU2 and then onto the 3rd)
Maybe the third game set in a different country? Change it up a tad.
I played through TLOU2 to its end, but in my eyes the ending for Ellie was around 1hr before the finale and wouldn't expect her return.
I would like to see something brand new from ND.
Wonderful news! I bought a PS5 specifically for The Last of Us 3 (or hoping it would be made). Naughty Dog games are the only games I buy at full price and day one. TLoU 1 and 2 are in my top 5 games ever. I expect it to arrive in 5-6 years at the earliest, though.
Back before tlou2 I said the first game never needed a sequel. But since tlou2 came out, there's clearly some arcs that need finishing.
I was waiting until TLOU2 got a ps5 patch but i got tired of waiting and man this game is the only game to put me through an emotional rollercoaster not even exaggerating lol. Now i know why it won all those awards. I can see why people were upset about the story but imo it moved to my top 5 games all time. Im eager to find out where they go with the story in the next game
We definitely need a Last of Us 3 at some point for PS5. Seeing something new would also be a welcomed addition.
I'd like a new Uncharted series following Drake's kid. Bit of a soft reboot. Perfect time to mix up the mechanics too, go open world maybe!
@Spaldy It’s strange to me that you would lump people who didn’t like what they did with it into “right wing trolls”. I feel that kind of dialogue only creates more division. I know people who are liberal and didn’t like the game as well.
The Last of Us is my favourite game series ever. That being said, I really don't think it needs another entry in the franchise.
Of course, if it does come out I will play it day one.
Thanks for the comforting news Neil Druckmann, we all thought you’d take a multi-year luxurious vacation after TLOU2! That beautiful mind of yours needs rest
I want to see tlou 3 released only to check the sales, are gamers still like the series or not. The special edition tlou 2 is still not selling on my local games store though. My prediction is the last game bombed after the launch since there’s still no update beside the 4M launch sales. All the good writers on ND already leaving, I don’t have hope for their games story now.
Nice!... fantastic news.
So many storylines I would love to continue from TLOU2. Cant wait to see where this goes.
#Abbydeservesbetter🤣🤭
Yes of course I do. Prefer a new IP next over an unnecessary remake or a sequel to Part II.
It's really, really, really High time they focus on a new IP.
I'm not sure if he's trolling or what.
I want something new
@FatalBubbles
Well a) you assume I'm referring to everyone who didn't like it but I'm not as not all of those people review bombed it and sent death threats to the devs and b) the vast majority of negging this game got did come from right-wing trolls.
@Spaldy Correct me if I’m wrong but a lot of the hate and review bombing revolves around Joel. I don’t follow how that would be something “right wing trolls” were alone on.
@Spaldy For the remake of TLoU to be cancelled, wouldn't it need to be greenlit first? It's still just a rumour.
@FatalBubbles most of the comments I read online (not here) were about LGBT+ character(s).
I liked TLOU2 well enough though I do think TLOU1 was much better. That said I would absolutely prefer this to a TLOU1 remake.
My personal wish for ND's next game would be something like Metal Gear Solid since TLOU2 mechanically felt like a modern MGS game in a lot of ways. Either way looking forward to anything ND puts out.
I’m surprised that Factions 2 (or whatever it will be called) has taken this long to come out. Wonder what the hold up is on that.
why remake the last of us when they could be making last of us 3?
sigh , expected, but as a non-fan of TLoU in general, ND is kind of a non-studio to me at this point. Hopefully that new IP will be something totally different.
@wiiware It was the ultimate troll job by ND. I don’t want to give away too much, but the initial rumours weren’t true... .
Like the elements are there, but not in the way most people thought.
Most importantly perhaps it was handled tastefully & wasn’t thrown in your face or tried to be some sort of statement.
No one will top ND in terms of story telling. No one is safe & nothing is what it seems.
@naruball That was during the leaks. After it came out it changed into not being able to handle the death of a fictional character.
Lost most of my interest after 2. Oh well.
It'd be cool to get new playable characters, or even have the story set in a new country. Move on from everything, you know? I don't want to have to look back on the series when playing a new game in the series. Thematically I don't think it'd work too well to keep dwelling in the tar pit that is the TLOU1 and 2.
I really hope the dialogue gets better. 30 percent of it should not make me want to cringe my whole skeleton out of my butt. Whoever wrote that crap needs to do better.
Anyway it was a pretty good game, though overrated and overblown. I'd like to see what they can do in a Part 3. That being said, I don't think it'll be as good TLOU1, and I don't think Part 2 needs a continuation.
@naruball
I hope it's just a rumour. It doesn't need a remake.
@FatalBubbles
Dude, the majority were nothing to do with Joel and all to do with "durdurdurFEMINISMdurdurdur". It was toxic.
@Spaldy I guess we read very different websites. Almost all the complaints I saw were about Joel and false advertising.
@Fight_Teza_Fight kinda curious what 15sec scene you're referring to. I think I have an idea but then idk.
@FatalBubbles I feel like it was a mix of Joel and perceived sjw stuff. But I think the latter just comes with the territory now, especially if you showcase any diversity whatsoever.
I would very much like to see this story reach it’s end, perhaps on a more hopeful note. TLOU 1 really had a perfect ending, where things were carefully and deliberately left open to interpretation. TLOU 2 has entire arcs that are just not entirely finished. Bring on part III then put this thing in a museum.
@Steel76
off topic but i LOVE dark funeral!! m/
Kinda weird seeing it here lol. You see dark throne have a new album coming!
Hmmm interesting, not sure where they can really take it now with Ellie as her story for me is now complete. Obviously they could start a completely different story with new characters. Either way I'm up for another one first is the best, 2nd was great too just felt a little too long by the end but still loved it and was one of my favourite PS4 games. If it does come out think it's going to be at least 4years away minimum
@zupertramp I’m not really a fan of s*x scenes in movies or TV- even more so in video games. As pretty as TLOU2 is it’s still a video game & it’s just of putting.
They should’ve just done a ‘fade to black’ or just imply it. Didn’t really have to see that.
Didn’t last long, but the pay off was definitely worth it.
@Fight_Teza_Fight yeah that was my guess. also not a fan of sex scenes either simply because, as you say, it can just as easily be implied and the result is typically the same. It's rare that it's absolutely necessary to see it play out.
Can't wait to arrive home and read reddit, see all the crybabies complaining they won't play a third part and how the second one ruined the franchise!
I'm getting so bored of people crying about the ending of the second game now. We get it you were disappointed no need to keep harping on about it.
@OrigamiCrane Boo hoo.
@Deljo I wish it was a dream man, I really wish it was. TLOU1 was perfect and didn't need a sequel.
@RubyCarbuncle Then ignore the comments, you know what you're expecting considering you comment about it.
I kinda hope the apocalypse wins.
@wiiware sorry to burst your bubble again but its still selling in the markets where sales matter to Sony.
@Spaldy "However, before they do that I'd like to see the remake cancelled as there's no need for one and instead have TLOU1&2 upgraded for the PS5 with higher framerates and resolutions"
I don't think there's a remake at all and believe it's just been misinterpreted. What we will get (IMO) is a new remaster of the first game to bring it to PS5 and a native PS5 version of the second game with all bells and whistles. They'll be released in a double pack which will include the Factions multiplayer mode...
@wiiware Are you STILL going on about TLOU2 being a failure? Give it up already, it's only you saying so and it's getting a bit tired. You sound like a broken record!
@Nepp67 👍couldn't agree more...
@Nepp67 9 times out of 10 I do but considering I see them nearly everytime some website mentions the game it becomes almost impossible.
@InvaderJim Really? The last update of the game sales is 4M+ (on launch) and there's no update anymore, while ghost sales is 6.5M, and miles morales sold more than tlou2 and ghost.
I don't think ND is sony favs 1st party devs anymore since Insomniacs and SP already beat them at games sales. And unlike tlou2, there's no controversy with ghost and miles morales.
Hard pass. I HATE the second one. I refuse to continue playing it.
Loved the first a lot more than the second, but would love to see a conclusion to the series. This time maybe a little bit more fan service and back-story to Joel would be appreciated.
@Loftimus this isn't a confirmation it's coming. It is just a confirmation that they have an idea which by the sounds of it they won't be going ahead with it. Don't get your hopes up.
Don't think I want a last of us part 3. I wanted a sequel but I do not think I need a third game I am pretty happy with the way the story ended. At most I would maybe like a prolog type dlc that's maybe 5-10 hours long. Just to fully close of Ellies and potential abbies story lines.
If it's not a proper Joel and Ellie story then I'm not interested. In fact if they carried on with Abby's story then I think Sony run the risk of the game being a sales disappointment.
@OrigamiCrane Judging by your response to me now I would say your sole purpose was to annoy people.
@wiiware well it is always in Amazons top 50 in the UK and over 80% of the reviews there are 5 stars so most people who play it like it as proven when UK gamers recently voted it BAFTA game of the year.
In the US it was the best selling PS exclusive of 2020.
Could not care less. TLOU 2 was so bad IMO that I have lost almost all respect for Naughty Dog and frankly at this point do not care what they are working on if TLOU 2 is a reflection of the direction the studio is going. TLOU 2 was so bad on so many levels, from cringe writing, to unbelievable plot points, to unlikable grotesque characters you were forced to play as, to retconning the first game to fit their agenda, to totally disrespecting the fans and characters of the first game. It was a miserable slog. The divisive identity politics was just the icing on a very bad cake. Industry defining graphics would be the only reason most people would play it a sequel. TLOU 2 was soundly rejected and despised by the majority of people who played it. Meaning at least 51%. Of course the fawning access journalists showed how utterly out of touch with the average gamer they are by acting like this game was one of the most special games of all time. The players choice awards and reader reviews show how most people felt about this game by giving it to Ghost of Tsushima and giving middling reviews to TLOU 2. Across the world it was even more rejected particularly in Asian countries. And before anyone comments yes I am aware plenty of people liked it. But you are in the minority. As for sales, Sony confirmed Ghost of Tsushina outsold it digitally. Think about that. And it was available a month less! A new IP outsold one of the most anticipated sequels to a beloved game of all time! They claim TLOU 2 outsold it overall, but this is slight of hand. They are counting physical sales to retailers, not sold through to customers. This was proven by gamstat engagement compared to the amount they claimed sold. And the numbers didn't even come close to matching. I also have a friend who works at a store who said they still haven't got rid of their initial TLOU 2 stock! That is insane. GOT on the other hand has had multiple restocks. So please no TLOU 3.
@FatalBubbles you aren't allowed to dislike the game without being a homophobic transphobic xenophobic racist misogynistic neo nazi bigot
@naruball
I hate the game ... it's got nothing to do with LGBT.
The writing was poor, characters were severely under developed and most of them pointless. I never cared for most of them because I already knew what was going to happen to them (especially Abby's friends).
@Exlee300p NPD data showed it outsold GoT in 2020, just correcting your miss information.
Also your statement that most people didn't like it is also miss information, its won far far more gamer or readers choice awards than any other game like the recent recent BAFTA or the Official PS Blog awards. To be exact it has received 195 Media GOTY awards and 108 Readers GOTY awards.
if so many people dislike it how do you explain that on Amazon for verified purchases over 80% are reviews of 5 stars?
@InvaderJim look it just sucks okay. Everyone hated it even though no one bought it. There's your answer.
Also Sony should be willing to take risks with their games... just not risks I don't like.
@OrigamiCrane You're entitled to your own personal views but like I said when people keep spreading negativity on here it does get overpowering and don't mind the "boo hoo" part. I was mildly annoyed but that's it.
@InvaderJim If you actually read what I said you would understand that what I said about the sakes was not misinformation. GOT outsold it digitally and it was out for a month less. And as I said have to forms of evidence that shows the physical sales numbers are lies. And that was tge majority of it's sales. They counted sales to retailers as sales. Not sold through to customers. There are still a ton of initial shipments of TLOU 2 sitting on store shelves. As I said that is crazy. GOT had multiple re orders and sell outs. If you look at the monthly sales chart you can see that after the initial sales TLOU 2 sank like a rock whilst GOT stayed in the top ten for months. As for the so called 100's of reader awards, they are from small publications and there is a very vocal minority who essentially just made sure their day was spent on the internet shilling for this game. Most people who played the game and disliked it were unaware of these polls. The two big ones the players choice awards at the game awards, that was heavily publicized and metacritic represent how most people feel.
@Steel76 heybare u the same guy who had the LTD arrow flying V in his profile pic?
Im listening to Xaemoras album Pandemoniums Ocean. Check em out if youve never heard them!
I'd be interested to see if they could salvage the series from the trainwreck it was made into. I'm going to be cautious about buying future games from Naughty Dog, let alone a sequel to whatever TLOU2 was.
@Exlee300p Well BAFTA, IGN hardly small and it won them fair and square, the NPD data is there and confirmed, and the Amazon verified purchase data is there showing 80% liked the game enough to give it 5 stars, confirmed data proving most people that played it liked it.
You know how they killed joel in tlou2? Well in tlou3 they probably gonna kill abbie because fans like her now.
@InvaderJim As I said the BAFTA's and IGN are about as woke and leftist as they come. This game is a wet dream to them. The BAFTAS are literally putting diversity qualifications starting next year. Meaning the amount of people of a certain, gender, race, or sexual preference are required to win an award. That is as important to them as merit. That tells you all you need to know about the BAFTA's They have become instantly irrelevant as a result. IGN is also about as woke as they come as well. So it proves nothing. And your Amazon reviews prove that the vocal minority who are cheerleading for this game left reviews and the people who disliked it did not. Also as I said after people found out what they did with the game, sales tanked. After 3 months it was out of the top 20. So believe what you want.
@Profondo I'm not saying it's failure, it's just that after people know the story is kind of suck the sales stop, there's no update anymore about the total sales of the game while ghost of tsushima and miles morales got it. As one of the people tricked by the trailers, I understand while this game got huge opening, if I know from the beginning I won't buy it digitally at full price.
@InvaderJim Like I said, huge opening because it's the sequel to one of the best game of all time, tlou1, but after that, the sales didn't pick up much. Of course I stand corrected if sony release the total sales of the game and it's better than ghost/miles morales.
No thank you, the second one was such a drag, I like longer games, but this game felt 2X longer then it should've been, just a massive slog.
This is 2025 at the earliest.
Last of us usually comes towards the end of the console's life cycle
@DotM yup. I never doubted that some people dislike or even hate the sequel for a number of (different) reasons. I simply pointed out what I noticed from comments in other sites.
@Exlee300p "this doesn't count because x, that doesn't count because z" etc.
Your bias is clear as day, but the irony of your statement is completely lost on you.
Loved TLOU 2 and definitely think there are places to go with Ellie, Abby and Lev. Especially considering some plot points that help set up a sequel
That being said I would love to get a new IP before the TLOU 3. Which would fit ND releases during TLOU/Uncharted times of switching IPs
I honestly think a TLOU3 would focus around Tommy. He's the only character without a concluded character arc, and he could make for an interesting non-linear prequel/sequel game.
@naruball There is nothing lost on me nor is there anything ironic. You think there is. But there usn't.
@patronmacabre this is exactly where I would expect a third game to go. Tommy’s arc was left completely open. That and a certain faction gaining knowledge of a certain immune person through a recently arrived twosome...lot’s of places to go with the story yet.
The plotlines of TLOU2 is questionable at times but the gameplay made the experience worthwhile. I wouldn't mind if TLOU3 will be a prequel about Joel and Tess instead of a continuation.
They should keep doing LOU games as the technical pinnacle of each generation, I'm happy to wait 6 or 7 years until the PS5 is on it's way out.
They're working on multiple projects so I'm sure that something new will be made. Hope to see them make something like Jak & daxter. As for the Last of us 3, bring it on. Loved 1, liked 2. Maybe they could make a game that happens between 1 and 2. Even though we would know the outcome, the chemistry between Joel and Ellie was amazing and would be happy to see more of it.
I really want Abby/Lev sequel with maybe an appearance from Ellie. This third one must be Abby's game.
Please no! I don't ever want to see Abby again! The whole time they kept forcing you to play as her i was thinking where's ellie? Can i play as ellie now? WTF is it ellie's turn yet? I was really close to not even finishing the game.
Might as well just start fresh with all new characters at this point. They trashed it.
I would definitely welcome a third and final part of The Last of Us and wrap up this game, if they are remaking the first game then the whole trilogy will look graphically awesome. They should do the third game near the end of this generation to really harness the power of PS5 and really show what this sucker can do. I’m looking forward to ND next new ip and if it’s anything like Uncharted and The Last of Us it will be an amazing adventure as long as it doesn’t involve planes lol 😂. I do remember hearing that ND are doing a space adventure, but not sure how accurate that news was then I heard they’re doing a first person shooter, which would be pretty sick!
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