The Last of Us Part 3: possible locations and stories

The Last of Us Part 3, the long-awaited follow-up to the hit franchise, is sparking plenty of speculation and curiosity in the gaming community. While Naughty Dog has not officially announced anything yet, there are some interesting clues about the possible direction of the story and gameplay.

A new community of immune people

According to comments from a former Naughty Dog developer, one of the locations in The Last of Us Part 3 could be a settlement of people who are immune to the Cordyceps brain infection, just like the main character Ellie. The idea stems from remarks by Neil Druckmann, co-president of Naughty Dog, who previously developed more backstory than was used in the first two games.

Ellie's immunity to this devastating infection is a central theme in the franchise. There is no indication that other characters in this world share the same condition, but the possibility of a community of immune people fits with lore that was hinted at before.

Ellie's immunity and the plausibility of other immune people

The biological explanation for Ellie's immunity gives further reason to believe that other people like her could exist. This idea was hinted at in the first game and confirmed in the HBO adaptation. Ellie was exposed to the Cordyceps fungus in the womb, suggesting her immunity may have been the result of that pre-birth exposure.

If that exposure really did affect the infection in such an unusual way, it is statistically likely that Ellie would not be the only one. That creates a strong foundation for introducing a settlement full of people with the same unique trait, since it fits the internal logic of the story world.

The status of The Last of Us Part 3's development

Despite growing speculation and enthusiastic fan reactions, Naughty Dog still has not officially confirmed development of The Last of Us Part 3. The studio is currently focused on finishing its sci-fi action-adventure, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which is reportedly scheduled for release in mid-2027.

Given that focus on other projects and the complexity of making a sequel, it is likely that The Last of Us Part 3 will not arrive until after the launch of the PlayStation 6, possibly in the 2030s. Fans will therefore have to be patient before returning to the emotional and intense world of Ellie and her fight against the infection.

All in all, the future of The Last of Us Part 3 is intriguing and full of possibilities. Fans can look forward to new stories and locations that further explore the emotions and themes of the franchise.