Neil Druckmann has always been a busy man. But, his responsibilities only grew larger as his job title as the co-head of Naughty Dog gave him the opportunity to be the co-showrunner of HBO’s live-action adaptation of the award-winning video game franchise, The Last of Us. For all intents and purposes, Druckmann’s venture into the small screen has been nothing short of a resounding success.
With multiple new seasons confirmed for the most-nominated video game adaptation of all time, many assumed that Druckmann wouldn’t have much time to work on anything else outside of The Last of Us. But, as it turns out, we were all wrong to underestimate the power of the creative genius behind Ellie and Joel’s survival story.
Druckmann, who previously teased The Last of Us Part 3, has updated his Instagram bio to include “writer/director unannounced game.”
Naughty Dog isn’t just any video game studio. Its cinematic caliber has earned it a unique spot in the gaming industry, delivering breathtaking narratives that have captivated players worldwide and paved the way for adaptations beyond the gaming world. Uncharted and The Last of Us series are shining beacons of their craftsmanship, making it no wonder that the latter earned its HBO adaptation.
For the uninitiated, this California-based studio, a subsidiary of Sony since 2001, has been responsible for monumental titles ranging from the quirky Jak and Daxter for the PlayStation 2 to the grandiose narratives of The Last of Us and the Uncharted franchise. And spearheading these significant ventures has often been Neil Druckmann, the creative dynamo.
Despite recently being promoted to co-president of Naughty Dog, Druckmann’s commitment to the studio remains as robust as ever. Besides directing episodes of the HBO miniseries adaptation of The Last of Us, he continues to shape the future of Naughty Dog’s projects. And with his latest announcement, fans can’t help but feel the magnetic pull of curiosity. Is it The Last of Us: Part 3?
After all, Druckmann did reveal a plot outline’s existence for it back in 2021. The original game’s remake even tantalized players with mysterious art depicting fantastical elements absent in the original, adding fuel to the speculation fire.
Yet, there’s a counter-argument, one grounded in the HBO show’s success. With The Last of Us gaining momentum and branching into television, would it make sense for Druckmann, at the franchise’s peak, to divert his attention to a new IP? Given the success and newfound audience from the HBO adaptation, the timing might seem odd for such a gamble.
While fans may love speculating about the next big project, Naughty Dog has been open about another endeavor: the upcoming standalone multiplayer game set within The Last of Us universe. But in terms of Neil’s undisclosed project, the studio has maintained an enigmatic stance.
Many hope that the secrecy surrounding the project hints at the birth of a new IP. Naughty Dog, after all, has been all-in on The Last of Us and Uncharted since 2013. An entirely new narrative could be the breath of fresh air that die-hard fans are craving.
If nothing else, creative brains crave stimuli and telling a new tale could help reinvigorate one of Sony’s foremost first-party studios.
Ultimately, while Druckmann has been generous enough to drop hints and keep the community engaged, the waiting game is all that remains.
Whether it’s a continuation of a beloved series or a brand-new world waiting to be unveiled, one thing’s for sure: the gaming world will be watching.’
For now, here’s to hoping Naughty Dog will confirm The Last of Us Part 2 for the PlayStation 5 (and the PC) soon.
