In what is the single best piece of news to hit all year, Naughty Dog, via Entertainment Weekly has officially announced Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.  The game will take place in the Rub’ al Khali desert on the Arabian Peninsula.  Drake will be searching for the lost city of Iram of the Pillars, AKA “Atlantis of the Sands”.  The storyline will also involve Drake’s mother and father somehow.  Apparently the game’s title is supposed to be a clue about how what Drake believes about his past isn’t exactly true.

Update #1:

Well that didn’t take very long did it?  I’ve got a massive update for all of you including the official announcement trailer.  So let’s jump right into the details.

I already mentioned the game’s location, but I didn’t touch on anything else.  Naughty Dog says they’re putting just as much effort into the online multiplayer as they’re putting into the single player.  They specifically said they want to compete with the big boys in terms of multiplayer.  They didn’t offer any other details than that.

Returning characters include Nathan Drake, of course, and his good buddy and mentor Victor Sullivan.  Will any of the female leads make it in, I’m almost positive they will.  Naughty Dog isn’t talking though.

Finally the latest bit of news we have for you is the projected release date “TBA 2011″.  Naughty Dog says one way or another Uncharted 3 will be ready for retail at some point next year.

Now sit back and enjoy the official teaser trailer for Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.

Oh there is just one other small detail.  U3 will fully support high-resolution stereoscopic 3D.  This will likely be the game that convinces me to go buy a 3D TV.  Uncharted plus Avatar, count me in!

It’s now time to check out all the new media, including a placeholder box art.  Enjoy and leave a comment already!

I can’t begin to tell you how exciting this announcement has made me.  I’m literally giddy at the moment.