'The Last of Us 2' release date: launch of second installment may not come until 2021

Promotional image for "The Last of Us" Naughty Dog

"The Last of Us" launched in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and later saw a remaster on the PlayStation 4. Developer Naughty Dog has been busy with the launch of "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," and series creator Neil Druckmann reveals that "Uncharted 4" is their current priority before they resume work on "The Last of Us 2."

Speaking to The Frame back in July, Druckmann confirmed that they have worked on a few prototypes for "The Last of Us 2," but all of those prototypes have been put on hold once development for "Uncharted 4" began. Work won't resume until all of the main downloadable content (DLC) for "Uncharted 4" has been completed, which means development won't start until 2017.

"'The Last of Us' took three and a half years. 'Uncharted 4,' during its entire production, took a little over four years," he explained in the interview. "We don't write the story chronologically, I'll usually start in the middle. With 'The Last of Us' it was the middle of the journey where Joel and Ellie were already together and we will write several scenes in succession for that area as we're building a level and as the gameplay mechanics are coming together."

Given that DLCs are still coming for "Uncharted 4" until the end of the year and how long Naughty Dog takes to finish a game, it is widely speculated that "The Last of Us 2" won't be arriving until 2021. By that time, the Playstation 4 and its more powerful version, the PS4 Pro, may have been replaced by the Playstation 5 already.

Naughty Dog, despite confirming that a sequel is indeed coming, has not yet officially confirmed when it may roll out and if the game will have the same protagonists as the first game, Ellie and Joel. A report from Movie Pilot had run a poll to determine who may take their place, with any fans voting for the leader of the Fireflies, Marlene.

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