The Last of Us fans had hoped yesterday's annual celebration of the PlayStation exclusive franchise would bring with it some news on the now long-awaited multiplayer game set in the same universe as Joel and Ellie. And while the studio did comment on the project's existence, it's likely not the sort of update fans were looking for.
In a post on the Naughty Dog website, senior manager of communications Rochelle Snyder explained: "In short, we’re working on it — we see the community comments as many of you clamor for multiplayer and want updates. For now, we’ll say that we love what the team is developing and want to give them time to build out their ambitious project, we’ll reveal more when it’s ready!" Snyder then goes on to mention how the developer is currently hiring for positions related to multiplayer in order to grow the pre-existing team. At the time of writing, Naughty Dog is advertising vacancies in 61 different positions, including the likes of senior monetization/economy designer and an AI programmer for multiplayer.
When Naughty Dog confirmed its plans to spin online play from The Last of Us: Part II off into its very own thing, it was assumed the project wouldn't be too far behind the single player's launch. That has most certainly proven not to be the case, however. With the studio describing it as an "ambitious project" and continuing to advertise for many more open positions, the standalone game seems to still be quite a ways off. Come back next year for a reval, maybe? Hopefully?
As part of The Last of Us Day, the team released some new merch for fans to buy and shared the first image from the series' HBO adaptation for TV. When do you think the multiplayer spin-off of The Last of Us will likely release? Make a prediction in the comments below.
[source naughtydog.com]
Comments 38
It does make it sound like it’s very much its own thing rather than a “TLOU2 multiplayer add-on” though.
Why do I get the feeling we're not going to see this thing released until around the middle of the generation?
TLOU2 Multiplay should be free. To secure a lot of users,
Regarding Factions, it sounds like they're making something really big. I'm not going to make any assumptions or fill my own head with false expectations, but it's sounding more and more interesting. Well, it was always interesting.
Given how long this appears to be taking, I’d personally rather have them using their resources on their next single player project.
They need to throw us a frickin bone here..my interest is starting to wane. I am a huge fan of ND and especially TLoU games but i sometimes find these cryptic messages pointless. They can tell us whats cooking, We'll wait....
@Th3solution I feel exactly the same. With zero interest in multiplayer I just see this delaying future ND games, even with the new staff hires.
I hope this isn't diverting attention from their next single player project. The size and scale of this thing sounds massive - but its not really something i see masses of people wanting to play. The fact they are still hiring suggests it is a way out yet.
Have to ask again how Insomniac have been able to pump out Miles Morales, Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart, Spiderman remastered and the 60fps patch for Ratchet 2016 - whilst announcing Spiderman 2 and Wolverine - and hiring for a multiplayer game since November last year - yet, other than the 60fps update for LoU2, its been very quiet on the ND front.
I know its unfair to compare, and ND need time (particularly after how hard they worked on LoU2), but Insomniac really are Sony's most valuable studio right now
I'm interested to see what they make of this. It sounds like a possibly unique experience.
I really think they should start putting games like this on PS+ as part of the PS+ Collection. That would be a great reason for people to stay subscribed then as you have to pay for online anyway, but it makes it look like great value for money as well when you get some exclusive online games to play too.
They could then throw in something like a bonus skin each month you stay subscribed or something like that.
See you on PS6
@SamMR come on it’s not that far off.
I'm so curious to see what this is. It's sounds ambitious...maybe a little too ambitious. Factions was great and I know it had a good sized audience (and still does) but I don't know if it was big enough to support how ambitious this sounds. Hopefully we will have a better idea of what this is next year.
Eh, I'll cut them a break on this. At least they have been mostly consistent since the PS3 era. Look at Rockstar or Nintendo with 90% of their franchises. We get a game and then it's see you in 20 years. I don't think this will take them too much longer.
Have no real interest in the multiplayer aspect of this, but if it turns out that they’re adding a considerable story-telling element then I might check it out. Would really just prefer single player content to be honest, so was hoping for news of an add-on. Guess might be some years before we see the next part of the story.
Naughty dog, please stop... thanks.....
Thing that annoys me is they already revealed it a while ago and gave the feeling they wanted to be transparent about it. That mean regular updates on it were expected.
Instead they keep it all under wraps as if it’s top secret game nobody knows about. We already know guys. It wouldn’t hurt to give concept arts and some info. In short more transparency would be fair.
This stinks of live service.
@Rob_230
Because Miles Morales wasn't developed from the ground u, it used assets from Spiderman, the game was mostly already developed.
This is early in development your probably not going to see anything until the end of 2022 early 2023, and it sounds like it'll be separate from TLOU2. The question is how much will the charge? Or will it be Free 2 Play with microtransactions?
Its going to be a battle royale isnt it.....
@banacheck oh absolutely, i recognise that - but in fairness the footage of factions that leaked was using assets from tlou2.
I appreciate that was early days, but i wouldnt be surprised to see the same environments show up, as they did in factions 1 (unless of course they are going much bigger).
Don't get me wrong, no hate or pressure on ND from me. At the end of the day they only shipped Last of Us 2 last year. But a little bit more transparency would be welcome.
You strike on an interesting question about price. With Sony developing a range of multiplayer games now i expect to see a variety of models. Being the Last of Us, i'd be amazed if it wasnt a $70 / £70 release though
@Danloaded will be amazed if there isnt at least a battle royale mode in there
By the time this comes out we'll have forgotten about it.
It’s really surprising that the game is sounding like it is no where ready.
When it comes down to the combination of output and quality, Insomniac is king.
I’d much rather these games keep the quality of past gens and release sooner versus pushing everything further and taking years to release, look at GTA6.
Granted, TLOU2 released just last year but I guess many of us expected its multiplayer to release somewhat soon, especially after seeing the leaked videos.
The cynic in me believes they are just waiting to tack it onto the release of the show or the remaster.
Don't bother. People played this for the story... which was terrible.
@Th3solution Agreed. Really, with how long ND games take to make, I wish they'd focus entirely on a new AAA I.P. We didn't get one from them last gen, after all.
@dasd2 it most probably will be if they got any sense.
If they were revealing Part 3 then I would be very excited but a Multiplayer? I'm not interested in this in the slightest.
@orson I strongly disagree but ok.
Considering they are still hiring, the earliest I see the game releasing is 2023.
For a studio that knocked out an entire Uncharted trilogy plus TLoU in one console gen, you have to wonder why this is taking so long.
@Nem - Absolutely agree, I think the 'game' is ready to go. Now they're busy putting the DLC hat team, National flag team and cash only OP weapons team together.
senior monetization/economy designer micro transactions confirmed ?
This is sounding more like becoming gta online esque and it worries me for future single player output from naughty dog
@Shigurui I believe they are holding it back to release it along side the show or it will combined with the remaster to sell for 69.99.
The original game has multiplayer. So, they rebuild the original game and the original multiplayer. I’m not a fan of this, I hate the idea them of redoing TLoU considering it’s still pretty new and holds up well.
It was announced in September 2019 - 2 years ago.
If I recall correctly, they were responding to questions as to whether TLOU2 would include a multiplayer mode and then they said there would be a full scale multiplayer project.
How does that indicate to us that they’d ship TLOU2 and this multiplayer project in close succession? Bear in mind TLOU2 released in 2020. I get that it would be nice but if you take the info as it was given then this is probably still a year or two out.
@Th3solution Same thoughts here, the sooner they finish the multiplayer or cancel it, the better.
@VillaRosa-LVPx I'm sure they are relieved to hear that...
@Ralizah Yeah, I’d like to see ND do Sci-Fi or maybe something crazy like a turn based rpg. It would be fun to see something new. Granted, I think this Factions 2 (if that’s what it’s even called) is their attempt to do something different, but the fact it’s multiplayer just takes the air out of it for me. But I’ll keep an open mind. I just doubt an MP game is going to excite me unless it’s asynchronous MP like Dark Souls or Death Stranding.
Bad memories with that phrase. I still remember CD Project Red's first Cyberpunk trailer from eight years ago. They said at the end of the video "coming when it's ready"... And it was never ready. I know it is Naughty Dog, but still...
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