The Last of Us Online Director Sheds Light on Canceled Multiplayer Game

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We’re learning more about the multiplayer game Naughty Dog ultimately canceled for The Last of Us. Originally, The Last of Us Part II was planned to include a multiplayer mode. That mode became much larger in scope than initially intended, so Naughty Dog decided to develop it as a separate game. Unfortunately, the project – which appeared to be called The Last of Us Online – was canceled in late 2023, disappointing many fans. Now, thanks to details shared by the project’s former director, we have a clearer picture of what the game could have been like.

I was listening to the Lance E. Lee Podcast, and former Naughty Dog director Vinit Agarwal talked about what went down with The Last of Us Online. It’s crazy to hear that the game was actually about 80% finished when they decided to cancel it! Apparently, Naughty Dog realized they just didn’t have the resources to keep supporting an online game long-term without it impacting their future single-player projects. It’s a real shame, especially after all the work they put into it, but they ultimately decided it was the right move.

“That was a devastating moment for me because I spent seven years working on that game and it was soul-crushing,” Agarwal said. “I remember honestly finding out that it was getting cancelled 24 hours before it was announced to the public. That’s how I found out about the game getting cancelled and it was just unfortunate and they had to do that because they have to control the messaging.”

During the podcast, Agarwal shared that funding for The Last of Us Online was dwindling because fewer players were engaging with it on PS5 after the pandemic ended. This led Sony to change its focus and ultimately decide against providing the project with the necessary resources and funding.

The Last of Us Online Was Exactly What PlayStation Has Been Chasing

It’s surprising that PlayStation canceled The Last of Us Online because it was the kind of ongoing, online game they’ve been actively pursuing for the PS5. PlayStation has really been pushing these “live service” games for a few years now, but only Helldivers 2 has truly become popular. Concord failed quickly and was shut down almost as soon as it launched, and other projects at studios like Bend and Bluepoint were canceled before they could even release. PlayStation still has other live-service games planned, such as Horizon Hunters Gathering and Fairgames, but it’s uncertain whether either of those will be successful.

Of all the cancelled projects, The Last of Us Online likely had the highest potential for success. The Last of Us franchise is already incredibly popular on PlayStation, and the multiplayer mode in the original game, called Factions, was very well-received. If PlayStation was serious about creating a popular, ongoing multiplayer game, they should have invested more heavily in The Last of Us Online.

Naughty Dog is still developing Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, their first completely new game in over ten years. Currently, there’s no confirmed release date, but it’s expected to be available on PS5 sometime in 2027.

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2026-04-02 20:15