Naughty Dog changes 'Outbreak Day' to 'The Last of Us Day'
Naughty Dog is changing the name of its upcoming annual event celebrating The Last of Us this coming weekend.
Formerly known as "Outbreak Day," the event on Saturday, September 26, will officially be referred to as "The Last of Us Day" according to the video game developer. The day is still set on the anniversary of the fictional cordyceps outbreak that turned the world into a fungal zombie apocalypse on September 26, 2013.
However, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Naughty Dog decided a name change was in order going forward. The studio behind the post-apocalyptic video game and the Uncharted video game series announced the news in a tweet to their fans:
#TheLastofUsDay pic.twitter.com/dEycyibZw4
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) September 22, 2020
"For the last 7 years, September 26 has been our opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible passion of The Last of Us community. However, as we thought about the events of the last year and the challenges we all continue to face with COVID-19, we didn't feel right continuing on under the "Outbreak Day" banner. While the name and date are rooted in the fiction of the game, September 26 means so much more than lore. It's about showing our appreciation for our fans.
"That's why, this Saturday and moving forward, September 26 will be known as The Last of Us Day – a name that not only acknowledges the world around us, but also reflects the growth of the community as we welcome millions of new players with the release of The Last of Us Part 2. We have a lot of exciting things planned and we can't wait to share them with you in just a few days! – Naughty Dog"
So, what are some of the “exciting things” in store for fans of one of the best-selling video games of all time this year?
Past celebrations have often included the release of a new line of merch such as posters and t-shirts. In 2019, the studio released a free PS4 theme, a cosplay guide, and held some contests to commemorate the event.
The "Last of Us Day" this weekend marks the first celebration to be held since The Last of Us Part II was released on PS4 earlier this year.
Part II, set five years after The Last of Us was first released on the PlayStation 3 in 2013, has the player controlling two characters in a post-apocalyptic United States. Fans reunite with now 19-year old Ellie, as she seeks revenge after suffering a tragedy. She’s joined by Abby, a soldier who becomes involved in a conflict with a cult.
(Image from Naughty Dog)