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Current feedback from trade figures have reignited hypothesis about the way forward for The Last of Us: Part III–even although no official affirmation has been made. Neil Druckmann, a key artistic pressure behind the collection at Naughty Dog, lately made some quizzical remarks that had been sufficient to maintain hopes alive. Now, new insights from a former studio lead counsel that one thing could certainly be occurring behind the scenes–though particulars stay tightly guarded.
Talking on the Lance E Lee Podcast (by way of GamesRadar) former Naughty Dog sport director Vinit Agarwal mirrored on his time on the studio, together with his work on The Last of Us On-line. After spending seven years growing the multiplayer undertaking earlier than its cancellation, Agarwal revealed that he transitioned to directing one other “future sport” inside the firm, the place he remained for an extra yr. Whereas he in the end left to pursue a brand new enterprise, his feedback verify that improvement on at the least one different main title was underway throughout his remaining interval on the studio.
Notably, Agarwal distinguished this thriller undertaking from Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which he explicitly known as “Neil’s sport.” This distinction has fueled hypothesis that the unnamed undertaking may very well be one thing totally separate–possibly even tied to the The Last of Us universe. Again in 2023, Naughty Dog acknowledged that a number of large-scale single-player video games had been in improvement following the cancellation of its multiplayer title, and Druckmann later reiterated that a couple of undertaking was in progress.
Whereas it stays unconfirmed whether or not certainly one of these tasks is The Last of Us: Part III, the chance is much from dismissed. Naughty Dog has acknowledged that an overview for a 3rd installment exists, even when its manufacturing shouldn’t be assured, however followers proceed to speculate–and hope–that a return to Ellie’s story may finally materialize. For now, nonetheless, the studio’s future plans stay largely underneath wraps.