Rumors surrounding The Last of Us: Part 3 have once again gained traction in the PlayStation community after a move by Naughty Dog. The studio is currently focused on “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet,” a title with an ambitious budget and a projected release in 2027, but the announcement of a job opening was enough to fuel new theories about the future of the post-apocalyptic franchise.
In search of a Senior Sound Designer, the studio highlighted among the desirable requirements the need for experience with multiplayer games and AAA titles. Another curious detail was the description of the position as a “Multiplatform Project,” which reinforces that it would not be just any production. Naturally, the question arose: where does multiplayer fit into The Last of Us?
In the original game, released on PlayStation 3 in 2013, the franchise introduced the online mode Factions. The content divided opinions at the time, but still managed to win over a portion of players who praised the more strategic gameplay combined with elements from the main title.
The Last of Us Part II, however, chose to leave multiplayer out, a decision that frustrated part of the community. Some time later, the studio confirmed that it was working on a standalone multiplayer project set in the same universe. However, after years of development and high costs, the production was canceled.
Now, with the new job posting, expectations are different. After all, the search for a professional with experience in multiplayer and AAA games suggests that the studio may finally revive the idea, whether as an official sequel or something standalone but connected to the post-apocalyptic theme.
For now, there is no official confirmation about The Last of Us Part 3. Even so, the weight of the franchise within Sony’s catalog, the success achieved with HBO’s live-action adaptation, and Naughty Dog’s track record of long-term projects make the speculation even more intriguing for the public.
The Last of Us: Part II is already available for PS4, PS5, and PC.