Highlights
The Last of Us and Fortnite collaborating is unlikely due to tonal differences, but Dead by Daylight would be a better fit for The Last of Us content.
Joel and Ellie would be great additions to Dead by Daylight as Survivors, with unique abilities. Joel could skillfully defend against killer grabs using a shiv, while Ellie could utilize Listen mode to track the killer effectively.
The Clicker from The Last of Us is an ideal choice for a Killer in Dead by Daylight, and it could strategically utilize spores to its advantage. Additionally, eerie locations from The Last of Us, such as Left Behind's mall or the Firefly Hospital, would be fantastic additions as maps for the game.
If something is popular in pop culture, it is likely already in Fortnite or rumored to be added soon. Surveys have suggested that various celebrities and award-winning games like Margot Robbie and Elden Ring could become new cosmetics in Fortnite. The Last of Us also appeared on these lists. However, with the release of The Last of Us HBO series and comments from Neil Druckmann stating that The Last of Us would not be in Fortnite, it seems unlikely that a crossover will happen. Nevertheless, Dead by Daylight, another live service game, would be a suitable platform for The Last of Us series.
The lack of collaboration between Fortnite and The Last of Us is probably due to the latter's prestige and the tonal differences between the two games. While Fortnite has included characters from mature franchises like Terminator, Alien, and Predator, The Last of Us is a whole different category. The series tackles serious themes, and seeing characters like Abby, Ellie, or Joel dancing in a cartoony art style would feel out of place and potentially damage their image. On the other hand, Dead by Daylight's violent world of killers would be a great fit for The Last of Us content.
Imagining The Last of Us Content For Dead by Daylight
The Survivors in The Last of Us series are exceptional, making them the main attraction of a franchise-based chapter. Although there are notable side characters like Bill and Tommy, it is evident that Joel and Ellie should take priority in a DLC. Joel and Ellie would be incredible additions to the game, especially with Ellie's mature appearance from Part 2, which aligns better with the Dead by Daylight world.
Brainstorming potential abilities for these characters is enjoyable, especially considering The Last of Us' "get-out-of-jail free card" mechanic. To enhance gameplay, Joel could possess the ability to craft a shiv, allowing him to counter one killer grab per match, making him an ideal Survivor for those who take risks. On the other hand, Ellie could utilize Listen mode to track the killer, with upgraded versions increasing the range. Since scavenging and crafting are significant aspects of The Last of Us, players can discover parts throughout the map to construct smoke bombs and noisemakers, adding an interesting element to the game.
The skins for both Joel and Ellie in this hypothetical Dead by Daylight Chapter can be easily visualized. Joel could have his older appearance from Part 2, featuring slightly longer hair and a brown jacket. On the other hand, a skin inspired by Ellie's younger self could be designed with a red shirt and a longer ponytail. Additionally, players could have the option to modify the face models to resemble Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey from the HBO series. Furthermore, a Legendary Outfit based on Abby could be introduced, allowing players to fully transform into her character. However, it might be more appropriate to give this outfit to Joel instead of Ellie due to their similar height and build.
While Survivors can be enjoyable, Dead by Daylight is primarily known for its iconic Killers. Within the context of The Last of Us Chapter, there are a few Infected options that could work well, including the menacing character David. However, the Clicker stands out as a highly recognizable choice. Although making the Clicker completely blind would be unfair to players, a compromise could be to limit its eyesight while enhancing its sense of hearing. It could also possess the ability to place spores around the map to infect players, resulting in a unique gameplay mechanic where fully infected players turn against their teammates. Similar to the humming sound created by The Huntress, Survivors would be able to hear the distinctive clicking noises produced by this Killer, enabling them to track its location at all times.
Lastly, let's discuss the topic of maps to complement this chapter. While Bill's Town is an option, there are darker and more ominous areas that could better suit Dead by Daylight. The infected tower from The Last of Us Part 2 could be intriguing due to its significant verticality, offering a unique map design compared to the usual ones in Dead by Daylight. Additionally, the area where Abby had her confrontation with the Rat King could be suitable. Another possibility is a bloody, deteriorated version of the Firefly Hospital after Joel's consequential decision. The mall from Left Behind could also be a viable choice. With a plethora of excellent map options, as well as possibilities for Killers and Survivors, hopefully, The Last of Us and Dead by Daylight will consider collaborating in the future.
Dead by Daylight is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.