The Last of Us was a critically acclaimed 2013 video game that left a lasting impression on gamers and the gaming industry alike. The impact the game left was so powerful that it spawned a TV show, The Last of Us, which was released in 2023. This groundbreaking show has changed the gaming industry forever, and there are both pros and cons to consider. On the one hand, the show has raised the bar for storytelling in the gaming industry, allowing developers to create more immersive and engaging worlds for players. On the other hand, some argue that the show has shifted the focus away from the actual game, leading to a lack of innovation and new ideas in the industry. Regardless of your opinion, the impact of The Last of Us TV show has been undeniable, and it’s worth exploring the pros and cons of this groundbreaking show and how it has changed the gaming industry forever.
What is The Last of Us?
The Last of Us is an apocalyptic survival horror game released for the PS3 in 2013. Set in a dystopian world where a deadly pandemic has transformed most of the population into ruthless zombie-like creatures, the game follows Joel and his young companion Ellie as they journey across the country in search of a safe haven. The game received universal critical acclaim, earning a Metacritic score of 95/100. It’s regarded as one of the greatest video games ever released, and Rolling Stone named it one of the best games of all time. Moreover, the game has sold more than 6.6 million copies to date, and it won numerous awards, including the Game Critics Awards best game, the IGN Best Game of the Year, and the PS Awards best interactive title.
Pros of The Last of Us TV Show
Increased Immersion When the first details of The Last of Us TV show were announced, it wasn’t hard to see the huge potential the show could have for the video game industry. The game industry is already known for its outstanding storytelling, but it could take its gameplay to the next level with the help of the TV show. The show could have used the game’s visuals and atmosphere to create a truly memorable experience. Unfortunately, the show failed to deliver on this potential, and many claim that it diminished the impact the game had. Regardless, the impact the show had on the industry was undeniable, and it has proven to be an important step towards mainstreaming storytelling in the gaming industry.
Increased Popularity The Last of Us has arguably become the most well-known video game ever, and many attribute the game’s success to the incredible marketing and promotion of the game by Sony. The company spent millions of dollars on television ads, billboards, and even viral music videos to promote the game and encourage gamers to buy it. The Last of Us TV show will likely have had very little impact on this marketing campaign, but it has to be counted as a success for Sony. Popularity is one of the most important factors when it comes to raising the profile of a video game. If more people know about a game, then there’s a greater chance that more people will buy it. This is why it’s so important to have popular characters in video games. In The Last of Us TV show, this was done relatively well with the character of Ellie. More Opportunities for Developers Stories are the foundation of all media, and games are no different.
The Last of Us TV show could have paved the way for more interactive stories in the gaming industry. Stories in games are often used to transmit messages and moral lessons and could be used to expand the social impact of gaming. By using stories to communicate with a broader audience, developers could engage with a larger audience and reach more people with their message. Unfortunately, the show was not successful on this front. Many argue that it has ultimately reduced the focus on games, and instead focused on the story and characters. This has been a common criticism of the show since it premiered, and it has resulted in a reduced focus on game mechanics and gameplay. More Opportunities for Developers Many in the gaming industry are optimistic about the potential of interactive stories in the future. Some claim that these types of stories are more important than ever, and have the potential to shape the future of gaming. The impact of The Last of Us TV show will likely encourage developers to explore the potential of interactive stories even further. Unfortunately, the show’s failure to deliver on this potential will likely mean that these stories will be viewed as a novelty, rather than a truly important medium.
Cons of The Last of Us TV Show
Lack of Innovation The Last of Us had an impressive innovation in storytelling and could have been used to inspire a new generation of innovative developers. Unfortunately, the show did not inspire any innovation in the game industry and has been largely panned by critics. Some critics have even argued that the show is a detriment to the game industry, arguing that it has reduced the focus on gaming and the actual gameplay of video games. This is likely to be a frequent criticism of the show as it continues to air. Reduced Focus on Games The Last of Us TV show is a unique example of gaming as a storytelling medium. However, many argue that the show is a clear demonstration that gaming as a storytelling medium has no place in the mainstream media. Interactive stories are likely too quickly be viewed as a novelty, rather than an actual medium of storytelling. This is likely to result in a reduced focus on interactive stories in the mainstream media, and could even result in a reduction in funding for these types of stories in the future. Increased Pressure on Developers Due to the impact of the show, many developers will be expected to live up to the incredibly high expectations that were set before them. If the show does not deliver on this expectation, then developers could be held accountable for the show. This is likely to be a frequent consequence of all of the above, as interactive stories are viewed as a novelty, rather than a legitimate form of storytelling. Interactive stories will quickly be expected to deliver a memorable experience and will be heavily scrutinised for any failures to do so.
Conclusion
The Last of Us TV show has been an important step forward for the gaming industry and has opened the door for more immersive and engaging storytelling in the mainstream media. Unfortunately, the show has been largely criticised for its lack of innovation, reduced focus on games, and pressure on developers. This will likely reduce the impact of the show in the future, and result in a reduced impact on the gaming industry.