Just ahead ofThe Last of UsDay celebrations, Naughty Dog has revealed that it will be teaming up with popular tabletop and miniature game developer CMON to create an analog adaptation of their dramatic survival-horror franchise.
The first installment ofThe Last of Usreleased for the PS3 in 2013 to near-universal critical acclaim, and its long-awaited follow-upThe Last of Us 2released for the PS4 earlier this year. Now, the franchise is primed to become a transmedia juggernaut thanks to a forthcoming television adaptation being developed by HBO, and the tabletop game being developed by CMON.
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CMON has not revealed a release window or any details about the game’s mechanics, but the announcement suggests the series will be handled with respect and care. The most encouraging aspect of CMON’s statement is its promise that the game will focus onThe Last of Us’s emotionally-charged storytelling as much as its survival mechanics. Craig Mazin, the HBO series producer, has vowed to expandThe Last of Usexperience with some"jaw-dropping" narrative beats omitted from the original game, so hopefully the tabletop developers will do the same.
If prior experiences are any indication,The Last of UsBoard Gameis in good hands. CMON has translated other Sony properties for tabletop play, including aboard game adaptation ofBloodborneand theGod of War card game. The company has also developed independent titles likeBlood Rage.
Even with skilled board game designers helming the project, CMON has its work cut out for it. Matching the cinematic prowess ofThe Last of Usvideo games with plastic and cardboard may not be an easy feat, buttabletop gaming presents unique opportunitiescompared to television and consoles. Injecting roleplaying elements into the game could add an extra degree of immersion and personal investment in the experience.
The board game announcement is one of many reveals coming out ofThe Last of UsDay, the recently retitled Outbreak Daythat was changed due to consideration for the Coronavirus Pandemic. Even thoughTheLast of Usoriginally released in June, the developer chose September 26 to celebrate the series as a nod to the in-game date when the Cordyceps Brain Infection began to ravage its world.
This year’sThe Last of UsDay announcements and contentinclude the release of a free PS4 Theme, a limited-edition vinyl release of the game’s soundtrack, new figures of Ellie and Joel, and the beginning of a photo mode contest forThe Last of Us 2.
The Last of Us 2is available now for PlayStation 4. A board game adaptationis currently in development.
