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A standalone multiplayer game set in the world of The Last of Us reportedly reached around 80 percent completion before Naughty Dog cancelled the project in 2023. New comments from a former developer reveal just how far the ambitious title had progressed after nearly seven years of development.
The update gives fans a clearer picture of the project’s scale and the difficult decision behind its cancellation.
The Project Expanded the Original Factions Multiplayer Mode
Development on The Last of Us Online began alongside work on The Last of Us Part II. Naughty Dog wanted to build on the success of the original Factions multiplayer mode from 2013.
Factions built a strong community over time. Players praised its slower pace and survival-focused mechanics. Because of that success, Naughty Dog planned a much larger standalone multiplayer experience instead of a simple add-on mode.
The studio even expanded its internal teams to support development. This move showed strong confidence in the project’s long-term potential.
However, the project’s size later created major challenges.
Former Developer Says the Game Was “Very Close” to Completion
Former Naughty Dog developer Vinit Agarwal recently shared new details about the game’s progress during an interview. He explained that the studio worked on the project from around 2016 until its cancellation in 2023.
According to Agarwal, the team completed roughly 80 percent of development before the studio stopped production. He also said the project performed well internally during development.
The COVID-19 pandemic also influenced the project’s direction. During that period, more players stayed home and spent time playing online games. As a result, companies across the industry increased investment in multiplayer projects.
Naughty Dog Shifted Focus Toward Future Single-Player Titles
Despite strong internal progress, Naughty Dog eventually had to choose how to allocate its resources. Supporting a live-service multiplayer game would require long-term updates and continued staffing.
That commitment could limit development on the studio’s signature story-driven games.
Instead, Naughty Dog shifted focus toward future single-player projects. One of those projects is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which the studio revealed during The Game Awards 2024.
The upcoming PlayStation 5 title promises a cinematic science-fiction experience with a strong narrative focus.
Although the cancellation disappointed many fans, the report confirms how close The Last of Us Online came to release. Interest in multiplayer experiences set in The Last of Us universe remains strong even today.
