Why is Last of Us Set in 2003?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Last of Us series is set in 2003 because the writers felt that making the events take place simultaneously with the broadcast was more interesting and did not fundamentally change the story, allowing for a time period change that makes the story feel more real and near to our timeline. By shifting the outbreak day from 2013 to 2003, the show’s creators aimed to create a sense of familiarity and make the post-apocalyptic narrative more engaging for the audience.
Introduction to the Time Period Change
The decision to change the time period from 2013 to 2003 was a deliberate choice made by the show’s creators, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, to make the story more relatable and interesting. This change allowed the show to explore the pre-apocalyptic world in a more familiar context, making it easier for the audience to connect with the characters and their experiences.
FAQs
General Questions
- What is the main reason for the time period change in The Last of Us?: The main reason for the time period change is to make the story feel more real and near to our timeline, allowing for a more interesting and relatable narrative.
- Why did the writers change the outbreak day from 2013 to 2003?: The writers changed the outbreak day to make the events take place simultaneously with the broadcast, creating a sense of familiarity and making the story more engaging.
- How does the time period change affect the story?: The time period change makes the story feel more real and relatable, allowing the audience to connect with the characters and their experiences in a more familiar context.
Character-Related Questions
- How old was Joel when the outbreak started?: Joel was 32 years old when his daughter Sarah died and the apocalypse began.
- How old is Joel in The Last of Us 2013?: According to his FEDRA ID card, Joel was born on September 26, 1981, making him 32 years old when the outbreak started.
- Why is Joel not infected?: Joel may have narrowly avoided being infected simply because of his food choices on the series’ pilot.
Story-Related Questions
- What year did the zombies start in The Last of Us?: In the original The Last of Us, the outbreak initially begins in September 2013.
- How long is the time jump in The Last of Us?: There’s a five-year time-jump in between the games, during which Ellie visibly changes from 14 to 19 years old.
- Do they ever find a cure in The Last of Us?: Joel kills the doctors before they try to synthesize a cure from Ellie’s blood, meaning that nobody knows if a cure was actually possible.
Science and Realism Questions
- Could the virus in The Last of Us happen in real life?: Most of the science community is saying that a Cordyceps-related apocalypse is extremely unlikely for a multitude of reasons.
- How did the first human get infected in The Last of Us?: Joel presumably tells Ellie the truth when he explains that the infection probably started through an infection of ingredients like flour or sugar.
Miscellaneous Questions
- What word was banned on set of The Last of Us?: The word “zombie” was banned on set, as the show’s creators wanted to avoid using the term to describe the infected.
- Why was Joel killed?: In the video game’s sequel, Joel is shockingly murdered in the first act of the game by Abby, the daughter of the Firefly surgeon.
- How many years did Joel survive?: Joel survived for 20 years after the outbreak, doing whatever he had to do to survive in the post-apocalyptic world.
- How old is Joel when he dies?: Joel was likely around 57 years old at the time of his death, which occurs roughly five years after the first game.