By Will there be a third game in The Last of Us series? Considering the immense success of the initial two games and the HBO series, many fans are eager for additional installments in the franchise. However, Naughty Dog’s head Neil Druckmann states that it would take something extraordinary for the studio to create a third game.
He mentioned to ComicBook that he is currently focused on the TV show–which has just been renewed for a third season–along with the game he is directing, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. He is not dismissing the possibility of a third The Last of Us game, but he is also not confirming it.
“Back at Naughty Dog, we are currently developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which has been in the works for several years. This project is consuming all of our focus,” he stated. “I treat these projects as though they are the last I will ever undertake. Therefore, my assumption is that we may not do any more. If luck is on our side, and everything falls into place, who knows?”
Druckmann went on to note that the narrative in the original The Last of Us was crafted to have a “definitive ending” because he was uncertain if he would be able to make a sequel. However, the game became a massive success and he returned for The Last of Us: Part II. He explained that Naughty Dog did not need to create the sequel since Sony, the owner of Naughty Dog, has confidence in the studio to make its own decisions.
“But we had an idea for The Last of Us: Part II that we were very passionate about. It was compelling enough to invest years into. We worked on the story and felt, ‘OK, that narrative has come full circle. This is the definitive conclusion for this chapter in time,'” he elaborated.
Druckmann is reiterating his stance here, as he has previously responded to speculation regarding The Last of Us: Part III by stating that he approaches every game as if it were his last, and that the stars would need to align for it to materialize.
In 2023, following the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, Naughty Dog announced it has at least two single-player games in development. One has been confirmed to be Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, but the other remains undisclosed. Reporter Daniel Richtman claimed The Last of Us: Part III is currently in production. For what it’s worth, Dru