E3 2016 left fans disappointed that neither Naughty Dog nor any glimmer of "The Last Of Us 2" made an appearance. Given the recent drop of what seemed like "The Last Of Us 2" easter egg in "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," E3 2016 expectation was unsurprising.
When "Uncharted 4" hit the market in May, the mill buzzed with revived excitement for "The Last Of Us 2." As reported on Movie Pilot, the "Uncharted 4" easter egg gave a peek of "The Last Of Us" alongside the words "American Daughters."
Interpretations of the "Uncharted 4" clue included Ellie being pregnant and Joel being dead in "The Last Of Us 2." Gamingbolt suggested that the "The Last Of Us" poster in "Uncharted 4" may actually be a prequel about Ellie's mom Anna.
A separate Parent Herald article pointed to the Dark Horse Comics logo found at the bottom of "The Last Of Us" poster. Fans hoped to find clarity on the new direction Naughty Dog intends for "The Last Of Us 2" at E3 2016.
Creative Director Neil Druckmann confirmed in a separate Movie Pilot article that "The Last Of Us 2" is happening, but with dependency on the completion of the single player DLC for "Uncharted 4." Once Naughty Dog and Neil Druckmann deliver this for "Uncharted 4" the team would resume "The Last Of Us 2."
Fans would recall that when Naughty Dog dished on "The Last Of Us" with an "Uncharted 3" easter egg, Sony took about a full year to deliver the first "TLOU." If the single player DLC for "Uncharted 4" get released in the last quarter of 2016, the earliest official details on "The Last Of Us 2" could roll out in E3 2017.
Not to worry, however, as "Days Gone" from Sony - which fans mistook a few months ago for the new title for "The Last Of Us" - could be worthy entertainment with its generous hordes of zombies, and despite mixed reviews. In the meantime, tag "Uncharted 4" deliveries to be followed by "The Last Of Us 2" news and pen in a temporary release schedule of 2018 to 2019 from Naughty Dog.