Last of Us Online cancelled: Why was multiplayer Factions sequel binned?

Now, it's been scrapped, as Naughty Dog does not want to "become a solely live service games studio".

In a heartfelt and lengthy statement regarding the game's cancellation, Naughty Dog went into some detail over its decision to stop development.

Read on to find out why The Last of Us Online has been cancelled.

Is the Last of Us 2 multiplayer still happening?

No, the Last of Us 2 standalone multiplayer game is not still happening.

Naughty Dog confirmed the existence of a standalone Last of Us online multiplayer game in June 2022, and has kept quiet on the project since. Unfortunately, the game is no longer in development.

In a statement released on the official Naughty Dog website on 14th December 2023, the game's development team explained that it has "made the incredibly difficult decision to stop development on the game".

The statement continues: "We know this news will be tough for many, especially our dedicated The Last of Us Factions community, who have been following our multiplayer ambitions ardently.

"We’re equally crushed at the studio as we were looking forward to putting it in your hands."

Naughty Dog explains that pre-production on The Last of Us Online began when it was working on The Last of Us Part 2.

"As the multiplayer team iterated on their concept for The Last of Us Online during this time, their vision crystalised, the gameplay got more refined and satisfying and we were enthusiastic about the direction in which we were headed."

It's added that as development on the project continued, the "massive scope" of its "ambition became clear".

Naughty Dog reasons: "To release and support The Last of Us Online, we’d have to put all our studio resources behind supporting post-launch content for years to come, severely impacting development on future single-player games."

As you might agree, it is the studio's award-winning single-player games that have earned it worldwide acclaim and millions in game sales.

With "two paths" to choose from – "become a solely live service games studio or continue to focus on single-player narrative games" – Naughty Dog has chosen the latter.

All of the development team's hard work isn't going to waste, however.

The statement finishes by explaining that "the learnings and investments in technology from this game will carry into how we develop our projects and will be invaluable in the direction we are headed as a studio".

Finally, to whet our appetites upon the sad news of The Last of Us Online being cancelled, Naughty Dog adds that it has "more than one ambitious, brand new single-player game" that it is working on.

Fingers crossed we learn more of what the studio is working on soon.

Read more on The Last of Us:

• The Last of Us TV show review - why it's worth watching
• The Last of Us TV show changes - creators talk deviations
• The Last of Us meets The Mandalorian - Pedro Pascal on similarities
• The Last of Us Part 1 review - our verdict on the remade game
• The Last of Us PC - when does Part 1 hit computers?
• The Last of Us film - why Sam Raimi movie died
• The Last of Us PS5 - versions and consoles explained
• The Last of Us Left Behind - the DLC explained
• The Last of Us 2 trophies - full list to collect
• The Last of Us 2 chapters - how many are there?
• The Last of Us 2 safe codes - open all locked doors
• How long is The Last of Us 2? How many hours you'll need
• The Last of Us 2 PS5 upgrade - how to get it
• The Last of Us 2 PC - what we know so far
• Will there be a Last of Us Part 3? Latest on the sequel

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