It’s interesting to see how even after 10 years, The Last of Us still manages to capture the attention of a wide range of people, from parents who once fretted over their kids screaming at the TV while playing Halo 3, to those who are professionally involved in the gaming industry. But what’s even more fascinating is how The New York Times, a publication that has covered The Last of Us in various ways in the past, has finally joined the discourse about the game’s controversial ending, thanks to the success of the HBO series. However, it’s evident that the writers and critics at the Times still struggle with discussing video games with any degree of nuance or accuracy. The author of the piece in question, for example, is quick to label The Last of Us as a “shoot-em-up,” despite it being a game that is renowned for its emotional storytelling and character development. It’s clear that even after a decade, mainstream media still struggles to talk about video games in a meaningful way.

Despite these missteps, it is still worth acknowledging the significance of a publication like The New York Times taking the time to discuss a video game’s ending. It reflects the growing acceptance and recognition of video games as a legitimate form of entertainment and storytelling. However, it also highlights the need for better representation and understanding of video games within traditional media.

Perhaps as the industry continues to grow and evolve, we will see more mainstream publications taking the time to delve into video games in a more nuanced and thoughtful way. Until then, it is up to video game journalists and enthusiasts to continue pushing for better representation and understanding of the medium. The Last of Us may have sparked the conversation, but it is up to us to keep it going.