As even non-fans will know, Fortnite is unmatched when it comes to crossovers. Not only has Fortnite partnered with Marvel, but it has also worked with DC, bringing the comic book competitors together in one setting. It has done the same with video game companies, as players are able to see Master Chief and Marcus Fenix in the same match as Aloy and Kratos. Countless characters from film have appeared, too, with Terminator and The Walking Dead being some of the many franchises Epic Games has worked with.
Epic has shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to its crossovers, as its latest deal with Sony sees Fortnite incorporating more PlayStation icons. This time around, Nathan Drake and Chloe Frazer from Uncharted have appeared on the island, and the two treasure hunters should not be the last Naughty Dog characters to have a cameo in Fortnite. There is plenty of potential for Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us to appear in Fortnite, and 2023 could be the perfect time to add them to the game.
Why a Fortnite and The Last of Us Crossover Would Work
An important thing to note about Fortnite’s Uncharted crossover is that it benefits both Sony and Epic Games. While Epic Games gets to put two more video game icons in its marketplace, Sony gets to promote the Uncharted movie that came to theaters this month. This is seen through the selectable styles for Chloe and Nathan Drake, as players can use the video game or movie versions of the characters.
It would only make sense for Sony to take a similar approach when The Last of Us HBO series makes its debut. Confirmed to drop in 2023, the show will focus on Joel and Ellie and the story of the original game. In the lead-up to release, Sony could give Epic Games permission to use Joel and Ellie, hyping up the show’s incoming debut through the limited time skins.
Just like with the Uncharted skins, The Last of Us-themed cosmetics could come with show and game styles, letting players control the version of Joel or Ellie that they prefer. Epic Games could go even further with these two skins, adding in the grown up Ellie from The Last of Us 2 or the older version of Joel from the sequel. Ellie’s switchblade could serve as her harvesting tool, while emotes could see Joel feeling his watch or Ellie telling a joke from her book of puns.
Epic Games could add even more to this crossover, like a weapon wrap that features the fungus from the Cordyceps outbreak. Clickers could patrol certain areas of the map, similar to Fortnite’s NPCs, attacking anyone that comes near their territory. They could also roam around in the storm, giving players another reason to stay inside the circle at all times.
Obviously, this is purely speculation, as there is nothing to suggest that The Last of Us content is coming to Fortnite. However, it is hard not to see all the potential that a bundle starring Joel and Ellie would have. Epic Games could even have some fun with the controversial character Abby, giving her a golf club harvesting tool to poke some fun at the strange criticism the sequel received. With the HBO series potentially serving as the perfect motivator for Epic Games and Sony to work together again, it would make sense to see some The Last of Us-themed content come to Fortnite in 2023.
Fortnite is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
