The Last of Us Multiplayer Game Development Reportedly ‘On Ice’

A recent report from Kotaku has hinted that Naughty Dog’s development for the standalone The Last of Us multiplayer game, also known as The Last of Us Factions 2, has stalled. The news comes amidst another rumor that several developers have been laid off from the company behind The Last of Us and Uncharted. Sony and Naughty Dog have not yet commented on the situation.

Naughty Dog initially announced The Last of Us Factions 2 during Summer Game Fest 2022. Originally, the multiplayer mode would’ve been part of The Last of Us Part 2. However, as the project’s scope increased, it became its own game. Earlier this year, the company delayed the project indefinitely.

The Last of Us Factions 2 Multiplayer Game Development Stalled

On October 3, Kotaku reported that Naughty Dog had recently cut contracts for dozens of workers. According to them, “Departments ranging from art to production were impacted, but the majority of those laid off worked in quality assurance testing.” It has also been reported that no severance was offered to those recently laid off. Naughty Dog has supposedly urged impacted employees and those remaining to keep the situation quiet.

Additionally, the development of their multiplayer spin-off Factions 2 has stalled. This is despite Naughty Dog and Sony’s recent success with The Last of Us TV Show. Kotaku’s report reveals that while the game is not altogether canceled, it “is basically on ice at this point.”

Earlier this year, when the company delayed Factions 2 to an unknown date, they briefly mentioned that they were developing other titles. One of which will include “a brand new single-player experience. At the time of writing, they have not yet confirmed any other details about their next project.

Lastly, The Last of Us Part II is available now on the PlayStation 5. Additionally, the remake of the first game, titled The Last of Us Part I, is also available on the PS5 and PC via Steam.