The recent declarations of Neil Druckmann, a prominent figure of Naughty Dog, regarding the potential development of The Last of Us Part III have aroused considerable interest within the videogame community. Initially interpreted as a brake on fans’ expectations, his words were subsequently contextualized by Druckmann himself, who wanted to underline the complex alchemy of factors necessary for the realization of any large -scale project, making it impossible to provide absolute guarantees on the future of the franchise The last of Us.
Speaking to the microphones of Etalk (CTV), Druckmann offered a perspective on its working approach, explaining how every project is addressed with the utmost dedication, as if it were the last. “Every project on which I work as a sudden as if it could be the last one. I put everything on me and I leave nothing to intended,” he said. This philosophy has been applied rigorously both during the development of the first The Last of Us, conceived with an ending that could be self -contained given the uncertainty on a possible sequel, both for Uncharted 4 and, last but not least, for The Last of Us Part II. The latter, in particular, was made with the intention of providing a defined narrative closure, a staple in the creative vision of Druckmann.
Just the conclusion of The Last of Us Part II assumes a central role in Druckmann’s long -term vision for the entire saga. In fact, it indicated that that ending represents the desired narrative landing, regardless of the medium that could possibly carry on the story, be it a new videogame chapter or the successful television series produced by HBO. However, the concretization of a new project linked to The Last of Us, whether it is a game or another form of narrative expansion, remains subject to a favorable convergence of multiple elements. “So that there is another game, another project, many stars must align, so I can’t guarantee it,” said Druckmann. This statement highlights the intrinsic challenges of high budget development, which include not only creative inspiration but also logistical, resources and market considerations.
At the moment, Druckmann’s energies are concentrated elsewhere. His attention is primarily paid to the television series The Last of Us, taking care of the ongoing season and hoping for a renewal from HBO in order to continue the adaptation. In parallel, it is engaged in the development of a completely new project, a video game entitled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This new title, according to indiscretions not officially confirmed, may not see the light before 2027.