Fan anticipation and curiosity often run high when it involves high-profile projects, including ones that are closer to the grave than they are hitting the storeshelves. The Last of Us’ multiplayer spin-off is a good example of this.
Fans of the critically acclaimed franchise have been eagerly awaiting updates on various projects, particularly the live-service multiplayer spin-off. However, recent comments from Naughty Dog’s co-founder, Neil Druckmann, shed light on the current status of this project, and it might not be the news fans were hoping for.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, when questioned about The Last of Us’ future, Druckmann had quite a notably reserved response. He stated that he had “no update” on the game, offering no further comments on the future of the series beyond their focus on The Last of Us Part II Remastered and Season 2 of HBO’s live-action adaptation. This response, though expected for The Last of Us Part III, which hasn’t been announced or teased, is disappointing for the spin-off, albeit not all too surprising considering the amount of reporting on its development issues.
It’s unclear exactly when Naughty Dog decided to turn what should’ve been a multiplayer feature for The Last of Us Part II into a standalone title, but, somewhere along the line, it evolved into a live-service multiplayer game. This huge step-up from the studio’s past multiplayer modes was initially met with welcome arms. Unfortunately, following the release of the singular piece of concept art, which remains the only preview of the game to date, we’ve heard nothing but bad things about its development. From its initial delay to its supposed cancelation, which supposedly wasn’t true, and now Druckmann’s update, or lack thereof, the studio’s progress on the game doesn’t inspire confidence.
Given the changing priorities and challenges within Naughty Dog and Sony’s broader live service strategy, which is reportedly changing following the resignation of Jim Ryan, The Last of Us’ multiplayer spin-off might never see the light of the day.
Druckmann’s “no comment” stance, especially after years of development and significant resource allocation, suggests a degree of uncertainty about the project’s future. This lack of communication or a glimmer of hope, three years into the development, raises questions about the direction and viability of the spin-off.
The Last of Us fans that are looking forward to a rich, multiplayer experience set in the game’s universe should prepare for disappointment. While the original game and its sequel have received critical acclaim and widespread fandom (and the occasional controversy), the multiplayer spin-off appears to be trending towards the opposite direction.
As Naughty Dog shifts its focus to The Last of Us Part II Remastered and other undisclosed projects, the fate of its spin-off strays further from the light, leaving fans in a state of equal parts disappointment and relief.
If the project is indeed canceled or shelved, Naughty Dog might finally be able to focus its efforts towards something more productive, perhaps a new IP that could finally help it re-establish itself as one of Sony’s marquee first-party studios.
Naughty Dog can’t seem to catch a break these days. After the success of the first season of The Last of Us on HBO, it can’t seem to get production on Season 2 started. Pedro Pascal’s jam-packed schedule has reportedly forced filming to be delayed by at least one month, casting doubt on the presumed early 2025 premiere date of The Last of Us Season 2. Finally, The Last of Us Part II: Remastered is getting all sorts of negative reactions online, which should only intensify ahead of its release on January 19, 2024.
