The Last of Us Part 3 and The Elder Scrolls VI Could Face Similar Challenges

The Last of Us has emerged as a cornerstone intellectual property (IP) for the PlayStation brand over the past decade, firmly establishing developer Naughty Dog as a key player within Sony’s portfolio. Interestingly, despite its significant influence, the franchise consists of only two primary games. The original title, The Last of Us, made its debut on the PlayStation 3 in 2013, coinciding with the console’s final phase. This was followed by The Last of Us Part 2, released in 2020, a PS5 remake titled The Last of Us Part 1 in 2022, and a 2023 live-action HBO adaptation.

Currently, the horizon for The Last of Us franchise remains uncertain. Apart from the now-canceled live service game known as The Last of Us Online, Naughty Dog has not publicly announced any new titles since the launch of Part 2. Neil Druckmann, a co-creator of the franchise, has shown an eagerness to explore more narratives within this universe. However, it’s ambiguous whether this means a direct sequel to Part 2 or an entirely new spin-off. Should The Last of Us Part 3 be in the conceptual phase, fans could be looking at an extended wait for its release, reminiscent of the prolonged timeline seen with the highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls 6.

The Last of Us Part 3 and The Elder Scrolls 6 Find Themselves in a Challenging Landscape

The Elder Scrolls 6: Announced Years Ago, Yet Still Elusive

Similar to Naughty Dog’s acclaimed series, The Elder Scrolls franchise holds a revered status in video gaming culture. Despite being a lucrative asset for both Microsoft and Bethesda, the series has seen limited activity in recent years. The last core installment was The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, first launched in 2011.

In 2018, Bethesda Game Studios announced the much-anticipated sequel, tentatively titled The Elder Scrolls 6, during E3. This announcement was accompanied by a brief CGI trailer devoid of substantial gameplay information. Fast forward six years, and while the game is confirmed to be in full development as of March 2024, details remain sparse.

Significant Gaps Between Entries in TLOU and Elder Scrolls Series

The absence of new mainline games in both The Last of Us and The Elder Scrolls series can largely be attributed to their development teams’ commitments to other projects. Bethesda Game Studios has diversified its portfolio with six releases since Skyrim, while simultaneously focusing on content for Starfield. Meanwhile, Naughty Dog has channeled its efforts into developing their upcoming sci-fi title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, following the successful launch of TLOU Part 2.

Since Skyrim debuted, Bethesda has released titles such as Fallout Shelter, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76. When Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was unveiled at The Game Awards 2024, no definitive launch date was provided, hinting at a possible release around 2026 at the earliest. If this timeline holds, then fans of Naughty Dog might be awaiting a new installment in the The Last of Us series until 2032, marking a staggering 12-year gap since TLOU Part 2. In comparison, the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 could stretch even longer since Skyrim was released over a decade ago.

Ultimately, regardless of perspective, the lengthy waits for new chapters in both The Last of Us and The Elder Scrolls franchises signal a challenging journey ahead for fans eager for fresh experiences in these beloved universes.

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