How storytelling is the key behind “The Last of Us” success and newfound viewers

In a post-apocalyptic world, a father’s willpower to save lots of his teenage daughter is highlighted within the 2013 online game, “The Last of Us.” The multi-layered storyline has been tailored into a brand new HBO present — resonating with a distinct viewers. 

It’s turn out to be HBO’s second-most watched collection premiere in additional than a decade, one thing that Neil Druckmann, creator, author, and govt producer of “The Last of Us,” each the collection and the sport, finds nonetheless exhausting to imagine. 

“I’m ready for a piano to fall on me or one thing trigger it simply feels too good to be true,” Druckmann stated.  

The storyline in “The Last of Us” provides it an interactive ingredient that Druckmann believes makes it totally different from different video video games and has captured the eye of binge-watching followers from internationally.  

“You may put a complete novel inside a recreation. You may put a complete film inside a recreation,” stated Druckmann. 

Actress Merle Dandridge stars within the collection and performs insurgent group chief Marlene — the identical position she originated within the online game in 2013.   

She stated she by no means thought when she first signed up for the undertaking that it might have such an affect years later.  

Dandridge hopes that the tv collection helps encourage extra individuals to discover the storytelling that may be present in some video video games. 

“I actually assume this may make individuals rethink their opinions about video video games. And this I feel, is a good sign to the ether, to the zeitgeist, to allow them to know that a few of the most fantastic storytelling is occurring in video video games,” she stated. 

Evan Skolnick wrote the e-book, “Video Game Storytelling: What Every Developer Needs to Know about Narrative Techniques” and spearheads the game-writing program on the University of Silicon Valley the place the emphasis is on storytelling. 

He stated that whereas in virtually all video games the primary attraction is the sport taking part in, the storyline acts as a supporting position and will help with the general success of the online game. 

With about three billion gamers worldwide, video video games are massive enterprise. Their reputation has caught the eye of Hollywood—the place extra video games are being became films and TV collection. 

Some films just like the “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” franchise have discovered success. “Halo” — tailored from a navy science fiction recreation of the identical title — was final yr’s most-watched present on Paramount+ – a part of the identical dad or mum firm as CBS News. 

But different standard video games like “Mortal Kombat” and “Assassin’s Creed” have failed to choose up reputation when reworked into main Hollywood developments. 

Druckmann believes that turning a online game right into a tv collection or film requires an understanding of how totally different mediums have totally different strengths and weaknesses.  

It is due to this Druckmann stated that some components of the sport might must be modified, however you will need to stay true to the unique storyline to honor the loyal fan base that has carried the sport for years.  

“We’re attempting to inform the identical story that we had within the recreation. And typically we’ll deviate and go on these tangents, however we come again to the identical message, the identical soul of the sport,” he stated.