The Last of Us Day 2021

The Last of Us Day 2021 was the 9th annual The Last of Us Day celebration hosted by Naughty Dog. It occurred on September 26, 2021. In addition to content released by Sony and Naughty Dog, new content was also released in collaboration with Dark Horse, Mondo, and Taylor.Naughty Dog (September 26, 2021). "The Last Of Us Day 2021: A Community Celebration". Naughty Dog. Retrieved September 27, 2021. Naughty Dog also used the day to officially confirm that they're continuing to work on the multiplayer expansion of The Last of Us Part IISnyder, Rochelle (September 26, 2021). "Celebrating The Last of Us Day 2021". Naughty Dog. Retrieved September 27, 2021. as well as teaming up with HBO to release the first official production still from the set of HBO's The Last of Us. 
== Preview ==
On September 23, three days before the event, PlayStation, PS LatAm, PS Italy, and PS Germany released previews on the PlayStation English, Spanish LatAm, Italian, and German blogs, respectively. The previews showcased the new The Last of Us merchandise that would be debuting in the PlayStation Gear store on The Last of Us Day. The English, Italian, and German previews also showed off the special edition The Last of Us Part II Taylor 314ce and GS Mini guitars which were available for preorder to residents of Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK from September 23 to November 1.Bradley, Joshua (September 23, 2021). "The Last of Us Day is upon us: Celebrate with new wearables and more at the PlayStation Gear Store", PlayStation Blog. Retrieved January 3, 2022.Bradley, Joshua (September 23, 2021). "The Last of Us Day se acerca: Celebren con nueva ropa y más en PlayStation Gear Store" [The Last of Us Day is upon us: Celebrate with new wearables and more at the PlayStation Gear Store]. PlayStation Blog (in Spanish). Retrieved January 3, 2022.Bradley, Joshua (September 23, 2021). "The Last of Us Day è alle porte: Festeggia con nuovi oggetti da indossare e molto altro da PlayStation Gear Store" [The Last of Us Day is upon us: Celebrate with new wearables and more at the PlayStation Gear Store]. PlayStation Blog (in Italian). Retrieved January 3, 2022."Feiert den “The Last of Us Day” mit neuer Kleidung und mehr im PlayStation Gear Store" [The Last of Us Day is upon us: Celebrate with new wearables and more at the PlayStation Gear Store]. PlayStation Blog (in German). September 23, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2022. 
== Naughty Dog and Sony content ==
=== Community update ===
At 5 PM PST, Naughty Dog posted a blog addressed to The Last of Us community, which confirmed that they're continuing to develop the multiplayer expansion for The Last of Us Part II and that Naughty Dog was looking to hire additional staff for the project:
=== Photo Mode event ===
The 2021 Photo Mode Contest was announced and, like the previous year, applied to The Last of Us Part II. This contest was branded as "Weekly Photo Mode Challenges" and as a "Photo Mode Community Event" instead of a true contest, as no prizes were awarded. The event ran from September 26 to October 29, 2021.Naughty Dog (September 26, 2021). "Week 1: The Last Of Us Photo Mode Community Event". Naughty Dog. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
=== Retweet contest ===
To celebrate the day, PlayStation Germany hosted a retweet contest on Twitter which was open to residents of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. To enter the contest, participants needed to follow PlayStation Germany on Twitter @PlayStationDE and retweet the competition tweet. The competition ran from September 26 at 8:00 AM to October 5 at 11:59 PM CET. After the competition period had ended, three winners were selected at random. The prizes were as follows:Behner, Franziska (September 26, 2021). "Gewinnt tolle The Last of Us Part II Fan-Pakete inkl. Hoodies, Caps und einer CE!" [Celebrate The Last of Us Day with us!]. PlayStation Blog (in German). Retrieved January 3, 2022.PlayStation Germany [@PlayStationDE] (September 26, 2021) "Der #TheLastofUsDay ist im vollen Gange, und wir wollen das mit euch feiern!" [The #TheLastofUsDay is in full swing and we want to celebrate it with you!] (in German) (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022.Kalmary, Benjamin (September 23, 2021). "Teilnahmebedingungen für das The Last of Us Day RT Gewinnspiel" [Participation Conditions for the The Last of Us Day RT competition]. PlayStation Blog (in German). Retrieved January 3, 2022.
* 1st place: The Last of Us Part II Ellie Edition, PS4 Pro Limited Edition, Hoodie, Shirt, Tasse, Cap, Button Badges
*2nd place: The Last of Us Part II Collectors Edition, Limited Edition DualShock 4, Hoodie, Shirt, Tasse, Button Badges
*3rd place: The Last of Us Part II Collectors Edition, Hoodie, Shirt, Tasse, Button Badges
=== Twitter challenges ===
PlayStation Belgium & PlayStation Netherland celebrated the day by hosting five challenges on Twitter with prizes awarded to winning participants. The first challenge required participants to like and retweet the challenge tweet for a chance to win an official The Last of Us Part II hoodie.PlayStation Belgium [@PlayStationBE] (September 26, 2021) "Laten we beginnen. Dit is #Outbreakday Challenge 1." [Let's start. This is #Outbreakday Challenge 1.] (in Dutch) (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2022.PlayStation Netherland [@PlayStationNL] (September 26, 2021) "Laten we beginnen. Dit is #Outbreakday Challenge 1." [Let's start. This is #Outbreakday Challenge 1.] (in Dutch) (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2022.. Challenges two and three were subsquently removed from twitter and are not documented elsewhere. Challenge four, "endure & survive", asked the question "What do you think is the best way to survive a horde of Clickers?". Participants would comment their answer for a chance to win a The Last of Us Part II survival kit, which included a tote bag, travel mug, lanyard, and a notebook.PlayStation Belgium [@PlayStationBE] (September 26, 2021) "#TLOUDay Challenge 4: endure & survive." (in Dutch) (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2022.[PlayStation Netherland [@PlayStationNL] (September 26, 2021) "#TLOUDay Challenge 4: endure & survive." (in Dutch) (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2022. The fifth challenge, "look for the light", asked participants what The Last of Us meant to them. Participants would comment their answer for a chance to win The Last of Us Part II Ellie Edition.PlayStation Belgium [@PlayStationBE] (September 26, 2021) "#TLOUDay Challenge 5: look for the light." (in Dutch) (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2022.PlayStation Netherland [@PlayStationNL] (September 26, 2021) "#TLOUDay Challenge 5: look for the light." (in Dutch) (Tweet). Retrieved June 20, 2022.
=== Other content ===
New The Last of Us merchandise debuted on the PlayStation Gear Store, including a W.L.F Bomber jacket and guitar straps and picks made by Taylor Guitars. By popular demand, there was also a limited number of the special edition The Last of Us Part II Taylor 314ce and GS Mini guitars available on the PlayStation EU Gear Store. Lastly, pre-existing The Last of Us merchandise was 20% off from September 26-30 on the PlayStation Gear Store and The Last of Us Remastered, The Last of Us: Left Behind and Factions MP DLC were 50% off on PlayStation Store from September 26-27."The Last of Us Day", PlayStation. Retrieved September 27, 2021
== Collaboration content ==
=== Production still from HBO's The Last of Us ===
At 6:00 pm PST, Naughty Dog and HBO would share the first official production still from HBO's The Last of Us on social media; tagging each other and using the hashtag #TLOUDay. The still features lead actors Pedro Pascal (Joel) and Bella Ramsey (Ellie) looking at a plane crash. HBO also tagged Pascal and Ramsey as well Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann, and PlayStation in their posts.HBO [@HBO] (September 26, 2021). "#TheLastofUs is now in production. @Naughty_Dog @PlayStation #TLOUDay" (Tweet). Retrieved October 17, 2021.Naughty Dog [@Naughty_Dog] (September 26, 2021). "Look for the light @HBO #TLOUDay" (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022 Both Pascal and Ramsey then posted the image to their personal social media accounts stating that the TV series was in production and including what appear to be quotes from the show. “I got you, baby girl.” and "Day and night, all we do is survive." from Pascal and Ramsey, respectively.Pedro Pascal [@PedroPascal1] (September 26, 2021). "“I got you, baby girl.” The @HBO adaptation of #TheLastofUs is in production" (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022Bella Ramsey [@BellaRamsey] (September 26, 2021) "Day and night, all we do is survive. The @HBO adaptation of #TheLastofUs is in production." (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022 Mazin and Druckmann would also post the image on their personal social media accounts. Druckmann added the caption, "When I first saw them on set in full costume, I was like: 'Hooooooly shit! It's Joel & Ellie!'" to his post. And Mazin added the caption, "Can't let #TheLastofUsDay end without giving you a tiny little peek. @PedroPascal1 and @BellaRamsey are Joel and Ellie, and our journey has been amazing so far. To the edge of the universe and back...".Neil Druckmann [@Neil_Druckmann] (September 26, 2021). "When I first saw them on set in full costume, I was like: 'Hooooooly shit! It's Joel & Ellie!' (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022Craig Mazin [@clmazin] (September 26, 2021). "Can't let #TheLastofUsDay end without giving you a tiny little peek." (Tweet). Retrieved January 3, 2022
=== The Last of Us Part II Joel statue by Dark Horse ===
Dark Horse unveiled a statue of Joel featuring his appearance from The Last of Us Part II. This statue is a follow-up to the previous released, limited-edition, Dark Horse statues: "Ellie with Bow" (released for The Last of Us Day 2019), "Ellie with Machete", and "Abby" (released for the one-year anniversary of Part II). The 14.25 inch tall poly resin statue, featuring Joel with his guitar and revolver, was sculpted by Bigshot Toy Works and painted by Level 52. Each statue was bundled with a 10-inch round base with a relief of The Last of Us Part II logo and a certificate of authenticity. The statue was made available at a price of $199.99 for a time-limited preorder run from September 26 to October 29, 2021, with orders expected to ship in May-July 2022."The Last of Us Part II - Joel Statue". Dark Horse Direct. Retrieved September 27, 2021."New Product Announcement - The Last of Us Part II - Joel Statue". Dark Horse Direct. September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
=== The Last of Us Part II: Covers and Rarities EP by Mondo ===
A vinyl release of The Last of Us Part II: Covers and Rarities was announced by Mondo, in partnership with Sony Masterworks and Naughty Dog, with preorders available the same day. The extended play features all five acoustic covers from the game's pre-release marketing and the game itself; performed by Ashley Johnson (Ellie), Troy Baker (Joel), and guitarist Chris Rondinella. The vinyl release features artwork by Dani Pendergast, and liner notes by game director Neil Druckmann, and is pressed on 180 gram colored vinyl. It's also available on 180 gram black vinyl."The Last of Us Part II: Covers And Rarities EP". Mondo. Retrieved November 20, 2021. The EP was also released on digital platforms the following day.Naughty Dog [@Naughty_Dog] (September 27, 2021). "The Last of Us Part II: Covers and Rarities is now available on major streaming platforms" (Tweet). Retrieved November 20, 2021.
=== Ellie and Abby costumes in Sackboy: A Big Adventure ===
On September 21, the Little Big planet Twitter announced that Ellie and Abby costumes would be available to download for free from the PlayStation store starting on The Last of Us day. The costumes are based the characters appearances during the Seattle portion of The Last of Us Part II. The Ellie costume is equipped with a bow and the Abby costume is equipped with a hammer. Sackboy: A Big Adventure | LittleBigPlanet [@LittleBigPlanet] (September 21, 2021). "Gear up for danger and adventures into the unknown with Ellie and Abby in Sackboy: A Big Adventure!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 9, 2022.Smith, Rebecca (September 23, 2021). "New The Last of Us Apparel Hits PlayStation Gear Store, ‘All-New Content’ and Sackboy Costumes Coming September 26". PlayStation Lifestyle. Retrieved January 9, 2022
== External links ==
*Sackboy: A Big Adventure: Abby costume
*Sackboy: A Big Adventure: Ellie costume
== References ==
Category:Real world