The latest on the upcoming online experience, The Last of Us on HBO, and The Last of Us Part I.
Whether you’re here following our Summer Games Fest announcements or just catching up on the latest news from the studio, we’re excited to share what’s in store for the future of The Last of Us. Many of you have expressed how strongly The Last of Us series resonates with you, and we’re humbled by the community’s outpouring of passion and excitement towards the series’ growing and evolving world and characters.
We’re happy to share that The Last of Us Part II has sold through more than 10 million copies globally, as of this Spring. Knowing the support we have, our studio continues to see exciting, new avenues to introduce curious audiences and galvanize fans. With those opportunities in mind, let’s talk about the immense future of The Last of Us.
Standalone Multiplayer
It’s no secret that many of you are not only drawn to The Last of Us’ stories but also the game’s original Factions multiplayer. Since The Last of Us Factions’ release almost a decade ago, dedicated players have been vocal about an expansion upon that offering.
However, we can finally announce that we’re creating something much larger than a mode. We’re thrilled to share a piece of concept art from our upcoming multiplayer experience, which is an extremely ambitious undertaking. We’re growing our studio significantly to ensure we build this full-scale, standalone game, with its massive scope and immense world, in a way that fans have come to expect from The Last of Us and Naughty Dog.
We aim to make our newest entry into multiplayer inviting to new players while still a thrilling challenge for more of our seasoned fans. There will be more news to come next year, and we cannot wait to introduce you to the team behind this new experience!
The Last of Us on HBO
From the onset, our original vision for The Last of Us’ story was cinematic and character driven, and HBO enthusiastically continued the spirit of that same vision to bring this story to TV screens worldwide. Helmed by Craig Mazin, Creator and Writer of Chernobyl, in tandem with Executive Producer Carolyn Strauss and Neil Druckmann, the incredible cast and crew strove to ensure a faithful retelling of the story and its intricately detailed world.
In the spirit of collaboration and authenticity, Neil has taken on the roles of Executive Producer and Writer and also directed a full episode. Bringing The Last of Us to life has been a deeply creative collaboration between our studio and HBO.
The worlds of video games and television continue to overlap as Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker, Ellie and Joel’s in-game actors respectively, join the cast in major roles. We cannot wait to see them on-screen along with new and longtime fans of The Last of Us.
The Last of Us Part I
The Last of Us released almost a decade ago on the PlayStation 3 console, and it’s left an indelible mark on our studio. Joel and Ellie’s story continues to be powerfully evocative with players worldwide, and we’re humbled these characters continue to leave an impression.
With leaps in technology and hardware that allow us to push the limits of the visual fidelity and interactivity, we’re thrilled to announce this complete remake of The Last of Us, releasing September 2, 2022 for the PlayStation 5 console and in development for PC.
We’ve implemented modernized gameplay, improved controls, and expanded accessibility options in this single-player experience to allow even more individuals to enjoy the game. Effects, exploration, and combat have all been enhanced. Leveraging the PS5’s powerful hardware, we also implemented 3D Audio*, haptics, and adaptive triggers. Both returning fans and new players alike will have the opportunity to experience both The Last of Us Part I and its prequel story Left Behind in a whole new way.
For this rebuild, Neil has passed the directorial baton to Game Director Matthew Gallant and Creative Director Shaun Escayg to bring this project to life. Matthew joined our studio a decade ago to work on The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. He rose to Lead Systems Designer on The Last of Us Part II and co-headed the charge for over 60 accessibility features. Shaun started as Lead Cinematic Animator on The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. Shaun would later go on to become the Creative Director of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. With their deep creative and technical expertise with the series, they’re the perfect fit to helm this project, and you’ll be hearing even more about The Last of Us Part I from them soon.
Along with the trailer, we’re also pleased to announce that you may pre-order The Last of Us Part I for PS5 today at 4PM PT**. We partnered with PlayStation to develop multiple editions of the game:
The Last of Us Part I Standard Edition ($69.99 USD MSRP/ $89.99 CAD MSRP/ €79.99 EUR MSRP/ ¥7,900 JPY MSRP).
The Last of Us Part I The Digital Deluxe ($79.99 USD MSRP/ $99.99 CAD MSRP/ €89.99 EUR MSRP/ ¥8,900 JPY MSRP) includes an early unlock of the following in-game items:
- Increased Crafting Speed Skill
- Increased Healing Speed Skill
- 9mm Reload Speed Increase Upgrade
- Rifle Clip Capacity Increase Upgrade
- Explosive Arrows Gameplay Modifier
- Dither Punk Filter
- Speedrun Mode
- Six Weapon Skins: Black Gold 9mm Pistol, Silver Filigree 9mm Pistol, Rubber Tactical Shotgun, Sculpted Oak Shotgun, Arctic White Bow, Carbon Black Bow
The Last of Us Part I The Firefly Edition ($99.99 USD MSRP), available in the US via direct.playstation.com only includes the in-game early unlock bonuses featured in the Digital Deluxe Edition as well as a SteelBook® display case and The Last of Us: American Dreams Comics #1 to #4 with new cover art for each comic.
If you pre-order** any edition of The Last of Us Part I for PS5, you’ll receive the following in-game items***:
- Bonus Supplements to upgrade your skillset
- Bonus Weapon Parts to upgrade your arsenal
We are looking forward to sharing even more over the coming months leading up to the release of The Last of Us Part I. Your love and passion for our games are truly inspiring, and we’re immensely proud to share this experience with you.
Endure and survive!
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*3D Audio via built-in TV speakers or analog/USB stereo headphones. Set up required.
**Depending on your region, it may take some time for physical editions to appear. Please check with your chosen local retailer for listings and availability.
***Pre-order bonuses are not available in some regions. Please check with your chosen local retailer for availability.
No factions multiplayer for a full priced game? Upgrade path? Where is the creativity PlayStation is known for?
Think I’ll wait in a price drop, already own it on PS3 and PS4. Sony don’t be so greedy.
Please release the firefly edition in Europe, it’s unfair to make this edition only available in the USA
So far, this generation of PlayStation has been really disappointing. This remaster just adds to the disappointment.
It’s all about the money this gen. There’s clearly no passion for gaming or originality at the top of Sony. It’s all about the £$s.
£70 for games that are no more complex than anything made in the last 2 gens. They’re not bad, but a 40% price hike over ps4 games? 40%! No thanks.
“Exclusives” launch on pc, and when they do they are half the price of the PlayStation launch price.
Money is being poured into developing mobile and online battle royale clones, and at the same time the PlayStation 5 gets remasters of ps3 games.
Sony had a winning formula – affordable console and affordable games. Exclusive games that tempted in the masses. The ps5 console is still affordable, but the games are a rip off. And the games are no longer Exclusive. Goodbye, winning formula.
I have owned every PlayStation since ps1 and have never been so disappointed in the direction of the brand.
Ever since control moved to the US and Jim Ryan things have been heading downhill fast. It’s like the company is on self distruct.
The ps4 formula worked well. It made Sony a tonne of money. But apparently it wasn’t enough.
Greed will be the undoing of this PlayStation generation.
Sony (under Jim Ryan):
“For the payers”
It is seriously sad ngl. It makes me want to cry knowing that those PC pirates can defile this masterpiece. Really disappointed.
I agree. But I get it, they are doing what they think is best for their business. So we should do whats best for our pockets.
I would not have bought a PS5 if I knew the plan was to release the PC games closer and closer to PS launches.
(Cheaper games from Steam or key resellers, no PS+ fees, no forced dual sense since PS5 ported games can be played with non-dualsense controllers, can play games like Last of Us Part 1 on PC hardware from 2016 – same year as PS4 Pro etc.)
There is no benefit to staying on the console platform unless you enjoy paying $70USD for day 1 games.
I already started waiting for PC ports of Returnal, Horizon FW, GT7 and the other games that have leaked. Now I just gotta get my gaming group to come along with me. (It won’t be hard since PC has all the games now)
Well said. Don’t forget: they shutdown Japan Studio this gen too.
PlayStation have lost their identity.
@metaquadrax and @zanfear I really appreciate your replies (thought I might just get flamed for being a miserable git!).
It really is sad, and disappointing.
I could be wrong but i think that the closure of Japan studio and the merging of the blogs both stem from internal power struggles that have led Sony PlayStation to where it is today (in a mess).
I remain hopeful that the bottom line will convince the board that they are heading in the wrong direction.
How long that will take us anyone’s guess.
It will happen eventually. Hopefully it won’t be too late.
Just buy games on sale then, i’ve had no troubles.
We are customers, not execs.
They have said what they are doing and been transparent about, give them the benefit of the doubt or don’t either way they do not care what we write on the blog.
If we buy the psvr2 they care, if we give it great software attach they care.
if we give plus extra or premium the attach rate they want on ps5 they care.
see where i am going with this?
they don’t care if we buy games on sale or pan game x or game y. Or if core playstation players are mad or indifferent about pc. They care about the $$$
they are a business, and have always been a big corporation. not our best childhood friend like the nintendo people twist themselves into thinking.
Ps3 era as a business Sony was in a bad way, they focused on value and core games and that in the end turned the corner for the playstation business for them. After being dominant for psx and ps2.
PS4 was a safe continuation of 3 and many of their strategies but with a focus on services and complimentary hardware to varying degrees of success in vita and vr.
When you look at their business beyond entertainment playstation movies and music they were having problems and have massively restructured and changed a lot of their business.
Look at just tvs now versus every other gen they have the least number of models and are firmly a fringe player in units sold, this didn’t use to be the case and that is just what can plug into your ps4/ps5.
forgive them as a company for using their golden goose to expand new “vectors” as they say, with mobile, live services, pc, vr2 and the inbound plus rebrand /expansion launch etc.
We are allowed to not like what they are doing but it’s not like any of these platform holders owes us anything other than being transparent (which they are doing) and following through (which they)
it comes across as almost childish and myopic the type of “analysis” on the blog.
I mean really if you are so distraught about the writing on the wall, you have never had a better time to cash out of a console than ps5, a system 2 years in you could sell used for msrp+ seems o indicate people in fact do see the value where you don’t.
yes yes i’m a sony shill, for those frothing to start typing. I just don’t see it solely from my own personal expectations or value proposition to play the hobby on their hardware. I ignore a lot of stuff i don’t care for, i don’t buy a lot of their stuff, i skip a lot of games, i often do not get plus as i feel the value is poor for me and in general. However things like extra look like they could change that, vr2 could fix what i thought was weak tea about vr etc.
People getting do hung up on pc is beyond me. My real worry for all games is the live services micro transaction, where you know longer can evaluate value, but its a matter of how much you are being manipulated and ripped off after your neck deep.
As long as sony keep their “third person walking” games coming then there is not anything to really be salty over by the ps3 and ps4 standard. For third party they are king. I don’t understand the complaining. its on pace with the pandemic the have better 1st party games than ps3 and ps4 in years 1-3. people have such short memories on this stuff.
I already made my choice that I will support Sony the bare minimum. Sad because this gen seemed so promising but they only care about the cod audience now.
Totally agreed, as I said before…
Yep actually hate the direction they have taken got my PS5 day one and feel embarrassed to have done so my friends are yet to buy one and I cannot say they should get one at all.They have failed us big time it’s sad but I’m done now this is too far
I can hardly recall a single day in recent months without grumbling about Jim Ryan XD
I miss the old management. Had all PS consoles so far but currently skipping PS5. I’m a bit interested in getting PS VR 2 but even that needs also games that will make wanna buy it and for now I don’t see any to my liking.
100% agree. Their greed is why I moved to PC. Games are so much cheaper (most of the time) and you don’t have to pay to play online or pay for their proprietary hardware and be locked into their system
@MetaQuadrax
Looks like tempsuspenders finally created a new fake PSN account for blog commenting use and nothing else.
How long do you think it will take for you to get banned from the site this time?
@squibbley You do not want support from a person that always wanted PlayStation to fail…… 10 years ago and right now. I’m 100% with you that Playstation is making some terrible mistakes that past 2 years but don’t listen to that phony Xbot MetaQuadrax.
Right here in that comment to you, they talk about the PC pirate “defilers”……….. yet in a another comment above they talk about how they are going to pirate the game and laughed about it. They instantly can’t keep their story/agenda straight.
So don’t fall for it and keep an eye on the account until they get banned again.