2017 has been a year of ups and downs highlighted with controversy at seemingly every turn. The gaming industry has been no exception and Paris Games Week found itself a part of its own controversy as The Last of Us Part 2 received a new trailer. Fans were divided about the graphic nature of the trailer and The Last of Us Part II director, Neil Druckmann, talks candidly about the issue:

Some people, as we expected, were disturbed by what they saw in the scene and it led to some interesting conversations about what kind of violence is ok in a video game. What kind of violence is ok in what is perceived as a marketing piece? Should a marketing piece need to convey every facet of the game? There’s a marketing campaign, each piece can’t possibly tell you everything about the game, only the game can tell you everything about the game.

Every time we put something out there, it shows you a different facet of what the final experience is going to be like and I think some people because they were shaken or disturbed wanted more context within this piece alone. I think that’s putting too much weight or responsibility on any one tiny sliver of the game.”

As Druckmann talks openly about the trailer, we get the sense that they were looking to get peoples attention without giving anything important away. The incredible violence against women in the trailer certainly did get attention, though perhaps not the attention that was hoped for.

As the interview goes on, The Last of Us Part 2 director talks more on the darker parts of the game, noting that revealing those elements may not be a bad thing. It seems the Druckmann appreciates the dialogue that arose and is curious how that conversation will evolve once the game is released. Here is what he had to say:

We really enjoy the conversations about how do you tackle more mature, more difficult subject matter in the game and I think that’s setting up the kind of conversations we’re going to see once the game finally comes out.”

Ultimately, it would seem that The Last of Us Part 2 is shaping up to be a memorable experience and has stirred up the community on both sides in regards to marketing violence. While Druckmann talks about giving the game a chance to come out and then judge for yourself, such staggering violence does send a message. In the end, we’ll have to see what comes of this when the game is released on PS4 sometime in the future.

What are your thoughts on the presentation of violence revealed in The Last of Us Part 2 trailer? Join in on the conversation in the comment section below! Don’t forget to follow DFTG on Twitter for live gaming and entertainment news 24/7!