Support NeoGAF

[the_batman]

Yes, the fungus is a mutation. There are currently over 400 types of cordyceps and none have yet made the transition to human beings. It would take a mutation for that to happen because the species does not exist at the moment. However, the host isn't mutated, it's controlled by the mutated cordyceps.

i think you have a closed view of what the word mutate actually means.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

i think you have a closed view of what the word mutate actually means.

No, I just know what a parasite is and what mutate means. They're called 'the infected' for a reason. Give me one example of what 'mutation' you would like to see in the game.

 

[Drilbit777]

If they do a sequel it should be with a new cast. The ending was already perfect as is so it should be left alone.

 

[Floody]

They can infect, but couldn't the fungus evolve to mutate them too?

Yeah you're right, just remembered the Monkeys can spread it, but didn't mutate from it. If they plan to do more after 2, they could do something like show signs it might be mutating animals now too, and in The Last of Us 3 or toward the end of 2 they fully mutate.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

I don't doubt that since that is how Sony seems to handle their studios. But I also doubt ND made TLOU MP borderline P2W by themselves. Bottom line ND are owned by Sony and ND will do what Sony tells them to do.

Sony wouldn't stop them for making a different game if they wanted to though. Look at Microsoft's hilarious fuck up with Bungie. They lost their biggest team because they wanted a Halo factory. Neil himself stated when asked if he would leave why when he gets to make what he wants anyways for example a few years back.

As for the BS micro-transactions, that is Sony playing a part. It's disgusting, and the one thing I hate about NG's games. Especially in the TLOU.

 

[StrongBlackVine]

Yeah you're right, just remembered the Monkeys can spread it, but didn't mutate from it. If they plan to do more after 2, they could do something like show signs it might be mutating animals now too, and in The Last of Us 3 or toward the end of 2 they fully mutate.

If it can jump to humans not sure why it can't jump to other animals later.

 

[Floody]

Yes, the fungus is a mutation. There are currently over 400 types of cordyceps and none have yet made the transition to human beings. It would take a mutation for that to happen because the species does not exist at the moment. However, the host isn't mutated, it's controlled by the mutated cordyceps.

But the fungus needs the human host to mutate with it. Mutate just means change, or alter, I'd say the Host definitely changes after getting infected..

 

[Floody]

If it can jump to humans not sure why it can't jump to other animals later.

I don't think it can't, but that would probably take longer than 20 something years, if this is a direct sequel to the first, I don't see it jumping too far forward.

Edit: Also what Decarb said, if it could, it probably would have mutated them by now, they must be an easier target than humans.

 

[Thretau]

I'm not in the camp of The Last of Us fans who don't want to see a sequel. I really do but I'm very afraid what they will do. If the sequel doesn't mess with the first game then I'm fine with it. I would be fine with older Ellie or different characters all together.

There's no way they will be able to make a second game as good as the first. I love ND games but even for them it would be catching lightning in the bottle twice.

 

[CouchMaster]

If it can jump to humans not sure why it can't jump to other animals later.

Given how quickly it wiped out such a large population of humans with all their tech and their intellect, I'm pretty sure it has already killed off every other species it could. The only animals alive must be those fully immune to the fungus.

 

[Pop]

The Last of Us 2: Just Kidding, Their Were More of Us

Haha, this got me good

 

[iBlue]

We need last of us 2

 

[TheWorthyEdge]

My idea for a sequel or spiritual successor because I feel like Ellie and Joel have had their fair share:

Title: The Last of Them (ik stupid BUT hear me out)

Premise: Focus on a dwindled down group of maybe 2 or 3, and the game starts at the end. Go through different parts of each of the remaining survivors in the group beforehand to show how the group dwindled down or how the characters even made their way into the group. It could be crazy and something that Naughty Dog hasn't really ever done before. Almost like Telltales TWD 400 Days. Do it like TLOU where

Spoiler

you do play as multiply characters and the story fits perfectly into that.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

But the fungus needs the human host to mutate with it. Mutate just means change, or alter, I'd say the Host definitely changes after getting infected..

The human host is controlled by the cordyceps, not mutated. The cordyseps are a parasite. The transformation of the human form is purely aesthetic and not physical deformation. Take away the outer layer and the human is still there. This is why the runners make those mewling sounds. They're STILL humans and they're trying to fight the urges the cordyceps are giving them. That was the crux of the conversation between Sam and Ellie after Sam was bitten. That's what makes the infection frightening and disturbing.

 

[Floody]

The human host is controlled by the cordyceps, not mutated. The cordyseps are a parasite. The transformation of the human form is purely aesthetic and not physical deformation. Take away the outer layer and the human is still there. This is why the runners make those mewling sounds. They're STILL humans and they're trying to fight the urges the cordyceps are giving them. That was the crux of the conversation between Sam and Ellie after Sam was bitten. That's what makes the infection frightening and disturbing.

At first sure, but I doubt that's the same case when they finally mutate into the Bloater, which the human is involved in. I think that's also when the host dies though, and the parasite takes full control, not long after, could also explain why some don't become Bloaters, and just release spores.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

At first sure, but I doubt that's the same case when they finally mutate into the Bloater, which the human is involved in. I think that's also when the host dies though, and the parasite takes full control, not long after, could also explain why some don't become Bloaters, and just release spores.

They don't 'finally mutate into the bloaters'. They've just been infected longer and so have a thicker layer of fungus. I'll say it one last time and then you can google cordyseps:

The condyseps are a parasite and the human is a host. The only mutation involved here is the mutation of the cordyseps in order to infect humans. What the condyseps do is factual and well documented. The creatures currently infected are controlled by the cordyseps, not mutated.

 

[DeepEnigma]

He wouldn't be in the game, so it seems like he might just be guessing?

Although "I know (...)" is pretty damning

Why wouldn't he? He is a voice actor. He altered his voice for David. As well as other characters in different games. He can do it again in a sequel/prequel.

 

[LordofPwn]

I'd rather see naughtydog make a new ip or have a smaller team do a new Jak and Daxter or just reboot it.

The Last of Us was a great experience and I wouldn't want a sequel to minimize what the first did.

 

[Floody]

They don't 'finally mutate into the bloaters'. They've just been infected longer and so have a thicker layer of fungus. I'll say it one last time and then you can google cordyseps:

The condyseps are a parasite and the human is a host. The only mutation involved here is the mutation of the cordyseps in order to infect humans. What the condyseps do is factual and well documented.

The fungus doesn't just grow on them, it grows out of them, and changes them (mutate if you will), slowly turning the host into something else. In real life cordyceps don't go any further than killing the host to spread more spores, in The Last of Us, they eventually turn them into Bloaters, if they can't do that they just release the Spores.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

I'd rather see naughtydog make a new ip or have a smaller team do a new Jak and Daxter or just reboot it.

The Last of Us was a great experience and I wouldn't want a sequel to minimize what the first did.

How would it minimise TLOU? We've played the game and been effected by the ending and story. That experience is now ours and nothing can change that.

 

[photogaz]

As much as I think the first was one of the greatest of all time, I'd rather they either did a new IP or at least a new story with a new set of characters for the last of us 2.

Naughty Dog is so good that normally with a developer I'm happy for them to stick to what they know, but with ND I want to see their creativity in other areas.

 

[GribbleGrunger]

The fungus doesn't just grow on them, it grows out of them, and changes them (mutate if you will), slowly turning the host into something else. In real life cordyceps don't go any further than killing the host to spread more spores, in The Last of Us, they eventually turn them into Bloaters, if they can't do that they just release the Spores.

I wonder what inspired Druckmann to write TLOU if that's all they do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8

 

[struggler_guts]

I don't want a sequel, I want a game made by the exact same people in a different world. Zombies worked for TLOU but I don't want that theme continuing.

They should make a mad max game haha

 

[sono]

I think for both Uncharted and The Last of Us there could be sequels where you face waves of sons, daughters, families, friends and relatives out for revenge of all the people you have slaughtered!

The Last of Us 2: Just Kidding, Their Were More of Us

Oh you reminded me of a previous hiliarious thread of names for either the sequel or DLC, can anyone find it ?

 

[eFKac]

Straley and Drucks going the Miyazaki route? Working on 2 games at once?

I don't want TLoU by anyone else.

Still excited though.

 

[silva1991]

Let's get this thing in here, ND:

Yeah I was disappointed in monsters variety in this game.

we need more of this thing and infected animals would be nice.

 

[Elixist]

day 1

 

[Floody]

I wonder what inspired Druckmann to write TLOU if that's all they do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8

He's said what inspired him and Bruce to do The Last of Us, also what kind of story he wanted to tell, and it had nothing to do with the Cordycep fungus. It's probably why the story doesn't really touch on them much.

Also how does that video dispute that all they do it real-life is kill the host, to spread the spores and infect more?

An interview with Neil Deuckmann about what inspired them to make The Last of Us and what kind of story he wanted to tell.
http://venturebeat.com/2013/08/06/the-last-of-us-creators-inspirations/

 

[sono]

Can Riley from Left Behind be in it please

 

[GribbleGrunger]

He's said what inspired him and Bruce to do The Last of Us, also what kind of story he wanted to tell, and it had nothing to do with the Cordycep fungus. It's probably why the story doesn't really touch on them much.

Also how does that video dispute that all they do it real-life is kill the host, to spread the spores and infect more?

An interview with Neil Deuckmann about what inspired them to make The Last of Us and what kind of story he wanted to tell.
http://venturebeat.com/2013/08/06/the-last-of-us-creators-inspirations/

Er ... by showing they don't 'just' kill the host?

You know damn well I meant what inspired the infected.

Druckmann: No, the BBC show we were ripping off is Planet Earth, where they talked about the cordiceps fungus and how it affects insects.

Anyway, you call them mutants and I'll call them infected and we'll leave it at that. Out of interest though could you give me one example of how you'd like the parasite to 'mutate' a human? Just one.

 

[Floody]

Er ... by showing they don't 'just' kill the host? Anyway, you call them mutants and I'll call them infected and we'll leave it at that.

Except they do just kill the host, so that they can spread the spores, which is what I said they do.

 

[Turdburger]

remember pre-Uncharted announcement all the hoping for a naughty god sci-fi IP



well I still hope for that someday

 

[Patrick Bateman]

TLOU 2 is an obvious financial-must. They would never, ever pass on the chance to build off of the first game's success.

Spoiler

The key to not ruining it is to make it about an older Ellie, maybe in her 30's. Joel is gone. Maybe we see him in flashback game sequences that serve the new narrative elegantly. Largely though, it's a new game that explores the themes and consequences of the first one.

I like this idea.


And why do people even question the possibility of TLOU 2?
The first one made a huge pile of money..

 

[GribbleGrunger]

Except they do just kill the host, so that they can spread the spores, which is what I said they do.

Did you watch the video and listen? Or are you deliberately ignoring the part about controlling the ants brain and making it climb upwards? Are you going to continue ignoring what makes cordyseps interesting and why they inspired Druckmann? They're called 'zombie ants' for Christ sake.

Druckmann: 'I've just been inspired by a BBC documentary and know what our game needs
Straley: 'Pray tell, I'm all ears.'
Druckmann: 'The people get infected and just die.'
Straley: 'Sold.'

 

[SolidSnakex]

TLOU 2 is an obvious financial-must. They would never, ever pass on the chance to build off of the first game's success.

Spoiler

The key to not ruining it is to make it about an older Ellie, maybe in her 30's. Joel is gone. Maybe we see him in flashback game sequences that serve the new narrative elegantly. Largely though, it's a new game that explores the themes and consequences of the first one.

Spoiler

I'd argue that they're probably better off not having it be about any of the characters from the original. One thing they've talked about is the fact that the story has many parts that are open to fan interpretation. How Riley died, Ish's saga and of course the ending. Going back to the original characters would take away from that on some level.

Neil apparently mentioned at the One Night Live event that the guitar epilogue scene was a way to say "goodbye" to Joel and Ellie. He said that it would never be performed again and would never be released for any further public consumption, so he asked that no one record it. And as far as I know, it's never appeared online.

That's probably for the best. There are so many expectations for what she'd be like similarly to the expectations that existed for Ish. A clean slate would open up many more possibilities for them.

 

[Floody]

Did you watch the video and listen? Or are you deliberately ignoring the part about controlling the ants brain and making it climb upwards? Are you going to continue ignoring what makes cordyseps interesting and why they inspired Druckmann? They're called 'zombie ants' for Christ sake.

Druckmann: 'I've just been inspired by a BBC documentary and know what our game needs
Straley: 'Pray tell, I'm all ears.'
Druckmann: 'The people get infected and just die.'
Straley: 'Sold.'

So that it can spread the spores. Sorry I didn't go through the process step by step. Also we've been over this, the Cordyceps didn't inspire the game, the story or anything, but the infected.

 

[SteveO409]

Off topic but don't you hate people that complain about spoilers. That guy at the end going "Spoilers, i havent played it yet" and making a ruckus out of it. The game has been out for 3+ years already and you're at a panel for the voice actor of the game. Some people

 

[Markitron]

My guess is that

Spoiler

it will be about an older Ellie, and there will be no mention of Joel, at some point there will be a flashback to a Joel/Ellie chapter showing how he got infected and Ellie mercry-killing him.

 

[Bollocks]

Hopefully they will get a proper ending the second time around, not this lackluster non conclusive bs they did with the first one.

 

[Neonglitz]

What else can they do? They don't have any good games for their outdated useless console & for that to sell their console they would even go for unnecessary stretching of stories. I think the sequel might flop.

 

[-MD-]

Hopefully they will get a proper ending the second time around, not this lackluster non conclusive bs they did with the first one.

We got a proper ending the first time, it didn't need to spell everything out for us like we were 5.

What else can they do? They don't have any good games for their outdated useless console & for that to sell their console they would even go for unnecessary stretching of stories. I think the sequel might flop.

What the fuck lol?

Hope that's some hardcore sarcasm.

 

[EGM1966]

Unnecessary - although I can see commercially why Somy would be keen.

Hopefully they truly have a sensible follow up structure and not - sorry to be rude - the awful fan fictions ideas I've seen posted.

TLOU is so obviously a one and done but hopefully they don't ruin it.

 

[RealityCheque]

Adult Ellie. Dead Joel please. The man must pay for his crimes.

 

[Ray Down]

Hopefully they will get a proper ending the second time around, not this lackluster non conclusive bs they did with the first one.

But it was a proper ending, what wasn't conclusive?

What else can they do? They don't have any good games for their outdated useless console & for that to sell their console they would even go for unnecessary stretching of stories. I think the sequel might flop.

 

[dr_rus]

That's one of the least wanted sequels to a great game for me. I would honestly prefer them doing U5 or a new IP instead. Also lol at everyone who thinks that this sequel will be about Ellie and Joel again.

 

[Neonglitz]

What is your age? What do you know about consoles & pc how many you have owned? I mean in professional level not in stupid internet reading level.
I***ts like you are fodder for companies like them.

 

[OléGunner]

What else can they do? They don't have any good games for their outdated useless console & for that to sell their console they would even go for unnecessary stretching of stories. I think the sequel might flop.

lol this post is too good.

OT: Man I knew this moment would come where TLoU sequel was all but confirmed.

I've been wrestling forever whether I'd like to return to TLoU seeing as the first game works perfectly as a self contained story.

But after recently finishing Hotline Miami 2 (amazing) and how I believed there should never be a sequel in the first place after such a perfectly weird and trippy debut game, I'm warming to the idea.

Of course I also have complete faith in ND and whatever project they decide to tackle next I'll be there, In like Flynn.

 

[-MD-]

What is your age? What do you know about consoles & pc how many you have owned?

I***ts like you are a fodder for companies like them.

Oh you're for real, wow.

I mean in professional level not in stupid internet reading level.

This is the dumbest shit I've ever read.

 

[El-Pistolero]

Hopefully they will get a proper ending the second time around, not this lackluster non conclusive bs they did with the first one.

Congrats! You have missed the whole point of the story...

 

[El-Pistolero]

What else can they do? They don't have any good games for their outdated useless console & for that to sell their console they would even go for unnecessary stretching of stories. I think the sequel might flop.

What?