In a recent episode of the Script Apart podcast in 2021, Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog made mention of the potential for a third installment in The Last of Us series. Druckmann and his co-author Halley Gross have already outlined a possible storyline for a sequel to Part 2, but Druckmann remained secretive about the possibility of a third game. He emphasized that it is uncertain at this point whether this story will come to fruition as the next chapter in the series.

Druckmann is certainly considering The Last of Us 3. During an interview with Kinda Funny in early 2023, the co-creator of TLOU discussed Naughty Dog’s future plans, how to handle the expectations following their previous success, and its implications for The Last of Us 3.

The Last of Us 3: Series Creator Doesn’t Want To Rule Out The Game

During the interview with Kinda Funny, Druckmann admitted that he is aware of the immense anticipation for a potential third game, as he receives constant mentions about it. However, it remains uncertain if this is the upcoming project Naughty Dog is currently focused on.

While he didn’t fully commit, he strongly implies that the possibility of TLOU Part 3 remains open.

After completing each project, we deliberately delve into multiple other ventures, including potential sequels and fresh concepts. This process helps us determine where our true passions lie.

I am aware of the immense desire from fans for The Last Of Us Part 3, as I am constantly reminded of it. However, I want to inform everyone that we have already commenced work on our upcoming project as the decision has already been finalized. While I am unable to disclose any details at this moment, I assure you that this is the process we have followed.

In an earlier interview with Hollywood Reporter, Druckmann expressed the notion of “more story to tell”. Discussing Part 3 in a subsequent interview with Buzzfeed, he maintained a level of ambiguity, stating that the decision to continue or not lies with the team.

The likelihood of The Last of Us 3 being released is uncertain at this time. We remain optimistic (and somewhat confident) that it will come to fruition. However, Naughty Dog’s current focus is on completing their ongoing project. Additionally, they are involved in various other endeavors, which can be explored further in the following context.

Despite the lack of a clearly formulated story idea and ongoing projects, it is unlikely for the entire team to immediately dive into the sequel. It is evident that Naughty Dog intends to allow the game some breathing space. However, there is a potential for The Last of Us 3 in the future. Here is our perspective on what that might entail.

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When Could A The Last Of Us Part 3 Release?

Rumors of The Last of Us Part 3 being in development have circulated, but none have been verified. Even if the game does come to fruition, it will likely be quite some time before it is released. This is due to Naughty Dog currently working on other projects (more details provided below) and the challenges involved in continuing the story after Part 2.

Last year, Neil Druckmann disclosed that uncovering the emotional essence of the story in Part 2 of The Last of Us was more challenging compared to the first installment. This was primarily due to the players’ prior knowledge and experiences. Consequently, it is anticipated that evoking emotional responses and introducing fresh elements in The Last of Us Part 3 will prove even more arduous.

The first Last of Us game came out in 2013, followed by Part II in 2020. Considering this timeline, it is reasonable to assume that a potential third game would take a similar amount of time to develop. Therefore, we anticipate a potential release around 2026 at the earliest. Although we must exercise patience for a while longer, it is still enjoyable to engage in speculation. So, let’s indulge in some speculation!

How The Story Could Continue In The Last of Us Part 3

Please be aware that spoilers regarding The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II will be discussed in the following section.

In the second game, Ellie sought vengeance for Joel’s murder while also navigating her romantic relationship with Dina. Players of the game will recall that many questions remained unresolved: Ellie spared Abby’s life, and Dina disappeared after Ellie chose to disregard her pleas to stay.

There is ample opportunity for a sequel featuring Ellie once more, a desire shared by many players. It is highly likely that Abby will make a return as well. Additionally, there might be the introduction of a third protagonist, offering a fresh and unique personal narrative.

The Last of Us Part 3 could bring the story full circle, as it focuses on Ellie and Abby’s conflict and their individual journeys in grappling with personal grief, which was central to The Last of Us 2.

Part 3 will likely wrap up the overarching storyline. The groundwork for this has already been laid out: Abby has the potential to continue her father’s legacy by creating the vaccine, while Ellie possesses the antibody. This presents an opportunity for Ellie to accomplish what Joel couldn’t bring himself to do. The narrative progression would follow a specific sequence: love, revenge, redemption, as seen in Part 1 and Part 2. The collaboration between Ellie and Abby promises thrilling conflicts and opens up many possibilities. Personally, I am hopeful that Naughty Dog will opt for a satisfying and joyful conclusion.

Other Projects From Naughty Dog

Naughty Dog, a highly active studio, juggles multiple projects simultaneously. Below is a brief summary of their ongoing endeavors and recent activities:

• Naughty Dog has officially announced that the multiplayer mode for The Last of Us 2, known as Factions, will be its own standalone game. Although only concept art has been revealed so far, rumors suggest that Factions 2 will be free-to-play and supported by microtransactions, although this is yet to be confirmed. Additionally, the studio aims to incorporate their storytelling expertise into the multiplayer experience, creating a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.
• Rumor has it that Naughty Dog, the renowned studio, is currently developing a game set in a fantastical world. Fans eagerly speculate about the potential of this game, but it’s important to remember that there’s no concrete evidence yet. So, take this information with a grain of salt and enjoy it as pure speculation for now.