On the night of December 8 to 9, the sphere gaming vibrated to the rhythm of the 9e edition of the Game Awards. Thanks to its license The Last of Us, Naughty Dog was present at all levels: competition, announcement and awards. Back on this exceptional evening.
The season of price discounts began, in particular with the Golden Joystick Awards End of november. But the highlight of all these ceremonies rewarding the video game industry remains the Game Awards.
This year, we were able to follow them in the heart of the night, from 1:30 a.m. (French time) this Friday, December 9. For more than three hours of show, broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, announcements and awards followed, and Naughty Dog was part of it.
Announcement and competition
Two Dogs licenses were in competition during these Game Awards. On the one hand, The Last of Us Part I competed for the “Innovation in Accessibility” award. On the other hand, the movie Uncharted ran for the prize for “Best Adaptation”.
Unfortunately for our favorite studio, his two foals left empty-handed in the face of God of War Ragnarök on the one hand, and Arcane on the other hand.
But it’s fair game. The Last of Us Part II already had won the accessibility award the year of its release. However, the remake of the first opus resumes the formula of this sequence to improve it, where the title of Santa Monica Studio creates novelty on its license. As for adaptation, taking into account the quality and series success Arcanewe can only welcome this award.
The fans of the studio with the red paw were nevertheless able to console themselves thanks to a small announcement… the arrival of The Last of Us Part I on PC the 3 mars 2023 ! It will therefore be a rich year for fans of Naughty Dog’s post-apo license.
Two done, with two more releases expected next year: the series The Last of Us and the board game published by Themeborne. We also know that we will finally have news around the multiplayer The Last of Us. On a hâte !
The cast of The Last of Us series present
Failing to see Naughty Dog walk away with a prize, we had the pleasure of finding known heads put one back.
An accomplice casting at the Game Awards
To award the prize for a new category, two duo stepped onto the Game Awards stage. Entering from the garden side, Troy Baker et Ashley Johnsonthem Original Joel and Ellie from the games – what we will also find in the series. Advancing towards the courtyard, Peter Pascal et Bella Ramseythe new faces of our heroes in the TV adaptation of The Last of Us signed HBO.
Coming together in the center of the stage, Ashley and Bella hugged. A gesture that is all the more moving in view of the rumors regarding the character that would play the first in the series… Then, Troy took the opportunity to declare these:
I know I’ve already told you behind the scenes, but I want to repeat it in front of everyone: we saw the series and… we love you as Joel and Ellie !
What Pedro hastened to respond with the reciprocal. In fact, even though neither he nor Bella have not played the gameboth were able to see excerpts of it, in particular via let’s play.
To conclude this intervention, they announced in unison the nominees of the “Best action game” category, a prize which went to Bayonetta 3. Moreover, during the speech of Doug Bowser, director of Nintendo America who came to collect the prize, we were able to see the complicity of Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey on the scene.
The series team present behind the scenes
But the presence of the series team The Last of Us, and Naughty Dog in general, didn’t stop at the scene. In fact, other actors and actresses from show were in the room and were able to share moments with the rest of the team.
Fact, Halley Grossco-screenwriter of The Last of Us Part II, was also present at the ceremony. We saw her on the story of Gabby Llanilloa former Naughty Dog now working at Riot, just like Logan Willis, on the far left of the first photo.
Logan Willis, Halley Gross, inconnu et Gabby Llanillo.
Selfie of Halley Gross reunited with Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson and Neil Druckmann.
Halley Gross herself shared in her Instagram story a post-show moment with Troy and Ashley, but not only! You will recognize the co-president of the Dogs, Neil Druckman. He had already confirmed his presence at the ceremony by tweeting a photo of the four actors, matching his message with a modest heart emoji.
— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) December 9, 2022
These festivities still show that they are an opportunity to come together to celebrate video games all together. Other ceremonies are obviously to come, like the NAVGTR and DICE Awards next February, or BAFTA Game Awards among many others.
We’ll be sure to keep you posted on future Naughty Dog production nominations, if any. So to not miss any news from the Dogs, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook et Discord.