Despite Naughty Dog’s current focus on “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet,” fans remain convinced that the saga of the infected will continue.
Recently, Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, shared early concept art from 2003 on social media. These sketches depicted ‘a man, his adoptive daughter, and their journey through a ravaged America.’ However, the biggest stir came from his accompanying statement. He described the process as an ‘insane journey’ and expressed gratitude for every stage, notably adding, ‘especially the few stops that are still ahead.’ Players immediately interpreted this last phrase as a subtle, yet clear, tease for The Last of Us Part III.
These speculations aren’t unfounded, as Druckmann has previously hinted that the story isn’t over. In a documentary about the making of Part II, he discussed a concept that he found equally compelling as the first two games, which would bring the entire trilogy to a logical conclusion. His exact words then were: ‘There’s probably one more chapter to this story.’
While there’s no official announcement for The Last of Us Part III on PS5 or a future PS6, Druckmann’s recent post has undeniably reignited fan speculation. Given the phenomenal success of the TV series adaptation and the franchise’s strategic importance to PlayStation, it’s clear that players are not ready to say goodbye to the world of Ellie and Joel just yet.