How many years into the outbreak does The Last of Us take place?

The Last of Us: How Many Years into the Outbreak Does the Story Take Place?

The Backstory

In 2013, the world was hit by a devastating pandemic caused by the Cordyceps brain infection, which turned people into violent, zombie-like creatures. The outbreak occurred when a mutated fungus infected the humans, causing rapid spreading of the disease.

The Timeline

So, how many years into the outbreak does the story of The Last of Us take place? The game, which was released in 2013, does not provide a clear timeline for the events that unfolded after the outbreak. However, according to the official novelization of the game by Neil Druckmann and Alex Irvine, the events of the game occur about 20 years after the outbreak.

Here is a breakdown of the timeline:

• Year 1-5: Rapid spread of the Cordyceps fungus: The pandemic spreads rapidly around the world, infecting millions of people.
• Year 5-15: Collapse of society: The outbreak leads to a complete collapse of society, as governments, militaries, and economies fall apart.
• Year 15-20 (in-game timeline): Search for a cure and surviving: The game takes place about 20 years after the outbreak, where a small group of survivors are searching for a cure while trying to survive in a harsh world.

What’s Not Mentioned in the Game

The game does not provide a specific timeline for the events before the game’s start date, but it is inferred that Joel and Ellie lived through the early years of the outbreak. The show adaptation also provides some clues about the early years, stating that the outbreak began in September 23, 2003, when the first cases of infected were reported.

Here’s a summary of what we know about the pre-game timeline:

• The Cordyceps fungus mutated in 2003.
• The first infected were reported in September 2003.
• Five years after the outbreak (around 2008-2009), Joel’s brother Tommy formed a militia to fight back against the infected.
• Joel’s daughter Sarah was infected and died in Joel’s arms in 2013, which is believed to be around 12 years after the outbreak.

Conclusion

The Last of Us takes place approximately 20 years into the Cordyceps fungus outbreak, which occurred in 2003. The game’s story jumps into a post-apocalyptic world where a small group of survivors are fighting for their lives. While we do not have a detailed timeline of the events leading up to the game, it is clear that Joel and Ellie lived through the early years of the outbreak.