Naughty Dog is about to officially launch The Last of Us 2 next Friday. This led publications to ask, what’s next for the game devs?
Although, the release of The Last of Us 2 will only technically be the start of the next phase for Naughty Dog. Of course, there’s maintaining the game, possible DLCs, and a lot more do after the launch.
But all eyes are on the Santa Monica-based game developers now and the projects they will do in the future, following TLOU 2‘s success.
With another sure-hit AAA title graduating from the development stage, what will Naughty Dog bring to the table next?
Introducing our new “Inside The Last of Us Part II” video series! Today and over the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing new episodes that take a closer look at the game–from the gameplay to the setting.
First up, we’re talking story. Watch it here: https://t.co/CMAWMAIUqU pic.twitter.com/ewlFoTDFmo
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) May 13, 2020
The success of The Last of Us 2
It took almost seven years for The Last of Us to get a follow-up title. Nevertheless, this is the expected timeframe for AAA game title development.
According to British GQ‘s extensive piece on TLOU 2—focusing on the last two years of the game’s development, the pressure to provide a worthy successor to TLOU was significant.
An excerpt of the story, describing the success of The Last of Us, reads:
“It won more than 200 Game Of The Year awards, sold more than 17 million copies and paved the way for more mature storytelling in video games. It’s had Hollywood circling for years. HBO just commissioned a TV adaptation.”
Despite the drawbacks, the pandemic lockdown, and adjusting the working setup, Neil Druckmann and all of his 350 developers on the team at Naughty Dog ultimately pulled it through, with minimum extended delay.
Part 2 is majorly hyped, that even the storyline spoiler leak back in April wasn’t able to simmer down the community’s excitement for the game. Sony even chimed in with releasing a TLOU 2-themed PlayStation 4 console to celebrate the success of the game.
Introducing the Limited Edition The Last of Us Part II PS4 Pro bundle: https://t.co/kduxivE0vs pic.twitter.com/nBeTFYurpZ
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 19, 2020
What’s next at Naughty Dog headquarters?
Well, Druckmann weighed his next steps following the release of TLOU 2. Apparently, there are two possible projects he had in mind—either a new IP or plan for a third installment already.
Druckmann tells British GQ:
“As you start wrapping things up, creatively there are fewer and fewer responsibilities and my mind can’t help but think about the next thing. So, yeah, the next thing could be a Part III, the next thing could be some new IP.”
Nevertheless, Druckmann will be very busy as he readies himself to write for HBO, with the big-screen adaptation of Ellie and Joel’s journey in the works.
Featured image courtesy of Naughty Dog
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