'The Last of Us 2' release date news 2016: Story almost set; game to wait for 'Uncharted 4' single-player DLC first

"The Last of Us 2" may not be here anytime soon. Updates about the long-awaited sequel alone might entail a long wait.

Developer Naught Dig began development of "The Last of Us 2" last year, but was immediately cut short for "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End."

Early this year, creative director Neil Druckmann suggested that the team will focus on the game after the single-player downloadable content (DLC) sees the light of day.

Last April, around the time "Uncharted 4" was at its hottest, Druckmann spoke to GamesRadar about the status of "The Last of Us 2" and the studio's plans for it.

"Before my partner, [game director Bruce Straley] and I, my directing partner, came on to Uncharted 4 we were working on prototypes for different ideas within The Last of Us universe... All those things were left on hold when we had to come onto Uncharted 4 to direct the project," he revealed.

"Our next focus is the single player DLC and then, once we have enough resources, resurrect all those prototypes, see where we're at, see where the teams at, what they're excited for and go from there," he continued.

The "Uncharted 4" single player has been in development for a while. However, Naughty Dog is yet to announce a release date for it. The company is mum about the production as well.

However, reports suggest that it could show up by December, which suggests that "The Last of Us 2" will finally get Naughty Dog all to itself.

With regards to what the game will be all about, Druckmann said last year that they were brainstorming ideas with new characters as well as Joel and Ellie, the protagonists from the first game.

Around that time, he said that we "were getting close to settling or narrowing that list down," which suggests that the team has made strides in the development.

As for the release date, reports suggest that a 2018 launch for "The Last of Us 2" is possible. Some claim a 2020 release is more likely.