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[Bartski]

timestamped.

Also if the interview is from April sometime (late?) 2023 as the video dates it, the game is in early concept phase so the single player title in full production now at ND is not Part3 as some leaks suggested.

 

[killatopak]

Wonder who we’ll play as. Abby, Ellie or Lev?

 

[tmlDan]

i just hope its after a new IP, i know that they timeskipped and he said he has a framework, so i assume they haven't started anything yet.

If it's a PS6 launch title, that would be a dream

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Transcribed from the video by Gematsu:

I did some other interview where someone asked me about The Last of Us, and would there be any more stories or something. I mentioned we have written a story that takes place after Last of Us II that stars Tommy. I hope one day we get to make it. The headlines across the industry were like, 'Naughty Dog Has Outlined The Last of Us Part III.' And that's actually wrong. It was always a small story, it was never a full title.

At the time, we had higher priorities at Naughty Dog, to fix our pipeline, to fix work-life balance issues. Just based on where we were, I didn't wanna prioritize this story, so that story was shelved. I still believe one day it will see the light of day. I don't know if it'll be a game or a show… TBD.

The first game had such a clean concept of the unconditional love a parent feels for their child. The second one, once we landed on this idea of the pursuit of justice at any cost, justice for the ones you love, it felt like there's a clean concept here and there's a through-line from the first game about love. If we never get to do it again, this is a fine ending point. The last bite of the apple, the story's done.

The great thing about working at Naughty Dog is that we don't have to. It's always like, we would love another Last of Us, but if you guys are passionate about something else, we'll support this other thing. Very privileged position to be in. I never take that for granted.

I've been thinking about, "Is there a concept there?" And for now years, I haven't been able to find that concept. But recently that's changed. I don't have a story, but I do have that concept, that, to me, is as exciting as I, as exciting as II, is its own thing, yet has this through-line for all 3. So it does feel like there's probably one more chapter to this story.

 

[MiguelItUp]

Of course it is. Especially with the Factions cancellation. I figured it was already in motion, especially with the rerelease of TLOU2 and the second season of the show on its way. Gotta keep riding that TLOU wave.

 

[zapper]

it seems to me that he confirms the possibility of a third part and suggests that the next project is something else (I'm hoping for an new IP).
nothing new in these statements, I think

 

[Krieger]

I'm gonna wait for the Part 3 Remake when the PS6 comes out.

 

[Punished Miku]

i just hope its after a new IP, i know that they timeskipped and he said he has a framework, so i assume they haven't started anything yet.

If it's a PS6 launch title, that would be a dream

I could be wrong, but just my understanding of how this huge TV show is going to play out means that they have to be sprinting as fast as they possibly can, all hands on deck to make it in time to catch up to the show. TLOU2 = 2 years of TV. Maybe you could take a year off. That gives them like .... 3-4 years to have it done in time for the show.

But yeah, no idea. I'd vastly prefer a new IP.

 

[Muffdraul]

Isn't like the fourth time TLOU3 being the current project has been low key confirmed?

 

[Iced Arcade]

Wonder who we’ll play as. Abby, Ellie or Lev?

Lol didn't click on the video huh


edit: wrong and humbled lol

 

[Alebrije]

Wonder who we’ll play as. Abby, Ellie or Lev?

There is only one way

 

[kazuyamishima]

Yes!!!

And More meltdowns incoming

 

[Luipadre]

Shocking news, thankfully its not their next game.

 

[Sanepar]

Maybe i got wrong but he says ND next project is not TLOU and TLOU3 is on concept phase.

 

[tmlDan]

I could be wrong, but just my understanding of how this huge TV show is going to play out means that they have to be sprinting as fast as they possibly can, all hands on deck to make it in time to catch up to the show. TLOU2 = 2 years of TV. Maybe you could take a year off. That gives them like .... 3-4 years to have it done in time for the show.

But yeah, no idea. I'd vastly prefer a new IP.

well LoU2 covers 2 seasons of the show and isnt coming out until 2025, so they have until 2027 or 2028/29 max to make LoU3.

I think they have plenty of time considering the current game they're working on is 4 years in development

 

[FoxMcChief]

Duh?

 

[killatopak]

Lol didn't click on the video huh

I don’t think they mentioned anyone other than a small Tommy after story sequence that was scrapped and shelved. Am I dumb and miss something?

 

[Borowski_1]

Wonder who we’ll play as. Abby, Ellie or Lev?

Joel

 

[VulcanRaven]

Wonder who we’ll play as. Abby, Ellie or Lev?

I hope its Ellie and and a new second playable character. Maybe

Spoiler

its set many years later and its JJ.

 

[Bartski]

Isn't like the fourth time TLOU3 being the current project has been low key confirmed?

If he’s telling the truth it’s not the current project since the interview is from April 2023 or newer

 

[analog_future]

So we're at the point where Neil has a concept..? Not even a story yet?


So we'll see TLOU Part III at the end of the PS6's lifecycle then.

 

[elcapitano]

Let's fucking go. Also a new IP as well.

Very disappointed Factions was cancelled but I can rest easy knowing part 3 is comiy

 

[Fake]

I shocked. So they can remake Part II.

 

[saintjules]

If it's a PS6 launch title, that would be a dream

I think if the trend were to continue, it could be just before the next-gen begins. Seems they like their June/Summer release window with the first two.

 

[Eiknarf]

Watching the full Making Of now.

 

[Bartski]

Tommy story dlc would be straight up banger tho

 

[Kenneth Haight]

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Tommy Gaiden arc after II would give the Joel fans something to fuck around with.

 

[Punished Miku]

So we're at the point where Neil has a concept..? Not even a story yet?

Joel reanimated as a clicker. The story writes itself.

 

[Gudji]

Well yeah they're working on multiple games. Think this will be closer to PS6 or something but who knows.

 

[elcapitano]

The only problem with Part 3 only starting development recently is the show will have to take a major sabbatical of they want to finish off the story in both mediums

Which isn't a big deal if they can get the actors back.

Anyway I'm happy we are getting a Part 3 and am intrigued to see their new IP but I won't lie I'm.more hyped for Part 3

 

[NickFire]

i just hope its after a new IP, i know that they timeskipped and he said he has a framework, so i assume they haven't started anything yet.

If it's a PS6 launch title, that would be a dream

I wouldn't get your hopes up too much for a new IP first. The first two made big money and lead to a show. Sony will almost certainly want a third one before anything else. Big games take so long to make that it could be up to 10 years in between 2 and 3 if they do a new IP first. No way they want to let the IP cool off for that long before 3.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

The arch of the main characters is complete, so the only way I see a TLOU 3 is by changing characters, environments, and the scope of the story. A time skip and humankind fighting the virus together or engaged in a civil war.

 

[Hudo]

Oh wow. I really didn't see that coming.

 

[elcapitano]

I know he mentions it's only in concept stage but I kind of don't believe him on that.

Only because Naughty Dog already confirmed they are working on multiple new single players games. So atleast 2.

I highly doubt there is two new IPs coming before Part 3.

So I reckon it's New Up first then aiming for Part 3 to be out by 2028 or 2029.

 

[DenchDeckard]

So do they have another project launching on ps5? Or not one naughty dog game this gen?

 

[Topher]

I hope so. Playing Part 2 again has me itching for more TLOU.

 

[Muffdraul]

So we're at the point where Neil has a concept..? Not even a story yet?


So we'll see TLOU Part III at the end of the PS6's lifecycle then.

I think it's safe to assume that he and Halley Gross had more or less figured out the next story while they were still finishing Part II. According to Ashley Johnson, the day they finished her performance for Left Behind in late 2013, maybe all of six months after TLOU released, he took her out to lunch and told her the whole story he had outlined for a possible sequel. According to her, it was very very close to what was later finalized as Part II's story.

Edit: I forgot to mention the salient bit here: long after the lunch in question, Druckmann was making comments publicly making it sound as if he still hadn't thought about what a sequel to the first game would be.

 

[elcapitano]

So do they have another project launching on ps5? Or not one naughty dog game this gen?

They confirmed this year they have multiple single player titles in development. Presumably one entered full production after Part 2 was released.

So you'd think New IP by 2026. And Part 3 between 2028-2030.

Also considering the focus on crunch I don't think Neil wants people thinking these games are coming soon. That way they can internally delay them as needed without as much pressure or backlash

 

[Matsuchezz]

I wouldn't get your hopes up too much for a new IP first. The first two made big money and lead to a show. Sony will almost certainly want a third one before anything else. Big games take so long to make that it could be up to 10 years in between 2 and 3 if they do a new IP first. No way they want to let the IP cool off for that long before 3.

They already confirmed that the studio is working on a new IP.

 

[tmlDan]

I wouldn't get your hopes up too much for a new IP first. The first two made big money and lead to a show. Sony will almost certainly want a third one before anything else. Big games take so long to make that it could be up to 10 years in between 2 and 3 if they do a new IP first. No way they want to let the IP cool off for that long before 3.

This is a unique situation for the LoU though, they have a show running that will go up until 2026 or 2027 depending on how filming goes.

That will keep LoU hot and it could even blow up a third game if it is released after that.

Remember, this interview was last year and he said they have a foundation/concept of a third game. They have been working for 4 years now on something

 

[Bartski]

I just hope their next project is indeed a new IP rather than Uncharted 5

 

[rhodesianshepard]

I just hope their next project is indeed a new IP rather than Uncharted 5

100% not Uncharted

 

[Represent.]

GOTG.

Just finished the doc. World class devs. World class director.

 

[Bartski]

100% not Uncharted

Was it ever point blank confirmed another studio is taking over? I think there were rumors it's in production somewhere with ND just helping, SVA? Just like Part 1 initially

 

[rhodesianshepard]

Was it ever point blank confirmed another studio is taking over? I think there were rumors it's in production somewhere with ND just helping, SVA? Just like Part 1 initially

I think its just a dormant franchise at the moment. ND's next game is a new ip, which is confirmed

I may be in the minority, but I think the Uncharted franchise has been perfected. I don't think there are many things to improve upon from a gameplay perspective

 

[Alebrije]

Part 3....SO no prequel.

This means Elly's story end, only two ways for her : Insanity or Peace. Do not see gray shadows on her ending.

Next IP should be something on Space like PREY or a Serial Killer silence of the lambs kind of Game.

 

[Xtib81]

It will most likely be a ps6 title.

 

[darrylgorn]

'low key'

 

[ReBurn]

Hopefully it's not being made just to provide material for the TV show.