Neil Druckmann has bad news for The Last of Us' multiplayer spin-off

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.