Naughty Dog Released The Last of Us PS5 Theme
The developer launched a new console background ahead of upcoming franchise festivities.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Gaming
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Naughty Dog has released a free The Last of Us themed background for the PlayStation 5 Welcome Hub. The new interface design features Ellie from both mainline games to commemorate The Last of Us Day 2026.
Why it matters
The release serves as a precursor to broader franchise celebrations scheduled for late September. It highlights the continued integration of Naughty Dog titles within the PlayStation console ecosystem.
The free background is available for all PS5 users who navigate to the Welcome Hub and select the Change Background button. The image features Ellie, a central figure from the franchise.
The players
Naughty Dog
This American video game developer is best known for creating the Uncharted series and The Last of Us.
John Goodman
The actor is a veteran performer who will play a new character named Joey in the third season of the HBO series.
Laura Bailey
A prominent voice actress who will portray a Seraphite leader named Elizabeth in the television adaptation.
The details
Users can access the theme by navigating to the Games tab within their console settings. Alongside the visual update, Naughty Dog confirmed that John Goodman, Laura Bailey, and Ian Alexander have joined the cast for The Last of Us Season 3 on HBO.
Timeline
March 2026: Neil Druckmann comments sparked theories regarding a third game.
September 26, 2026: The Last of Us Day celebration occurs.
September 28, 2026: Naughty Dog will release further franchise announcements.
Roadmap
This background update reflects a wider industry trend where developers prioritize console-level integration to keep players engaged between major software releases. It signals Naughty Dog's strategy to maintain a presence on the PlayStation 5 Welcome Hub interface as the franchise expands into television.
Players can immediately update their console aesthetic by navigating to the Welcome Hub settings on their PS5. This customization offers a simple way for fans to personalize their user interface to match their interest in the game series.
The takeaway
Franchise-themed digital assets serve as an effective tool for keeping players engaged within the platform ecosystem between major releases. Fans should look for further announcements on September 28, 2026, to see how the franchise plans to build on current momentum.
What happens next
Naughty Dog is scheduled to hold a No Return charity stream on Twitch and share additional partnership announcements and digital surprises on September 28, 2026.
Further reading
For more on industry updates, visit the Gaming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IGN.
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