Just ahead of The Last of Us Day 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 of The Last of Us released for the PS3 in 2013 to near-universal critical acclaim, and its long-awaited follow-up The Last of Us 2 released 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.
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 on The Last of Us‘s emotionally-charged storytelling as much as its survival mechanics. Craig Mazin, the HBO series producer, has vowed to expand The Last of Us experience 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 Us Board Game is in good hands. CMON has translated other Sony properties for tabletop play, including a board game adaptation of Bloodborne and the God of War card game. The company has also developed independent titles like Blood Rage.
Even with skilled board game designers helming the project, CMON has its work cut out for it. Matching the cinematic prowess of The Last of Us video games with plastic and cardboard may not be an easy feat, but tabletop gaming presents unique opportunities compared 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 of The Last of Us Day, the recently retitled Outbreak Day that was changed due to consideration for the Coronavirus Pandemic. Even though The Last of Us originally 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’s The Last of Us Day announcements and content include 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 for The Last of Us 2.
The Last of Us 2 is available now for PlayStation 4. A board game adaptation is currently in development.
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