The Last of Us 2 is one of PlayStation's most successful first-party exclusives of the PS4 generation. The Last of Us franchise has never been as popular as it is now. With an HBO television adaptation in production and The Last of Us Remake reportedly in development, The Last of Us fans have a lot to potentially look forward to.
There's also The Last of Us 2's standalone multiplayer mode, Factions, currently in development at Naughty Dog. While details on The Last of Us 2 multiplayer remains scarce, random teases and job listings paint a picture of a more ambitious and large-scale project that should appeal to not just the fans of the Factions mode from the first game, but also to the broader PlayStation community. It could even act the same way as Halo Infinite's upcoming free-to-play multiplayer mode will for the Xbox community.
The Last of Us 2 Factions Could Be Like Halo Infinite's Multiplayer for PlayStation
It's no surprise that the PlayStation brand lacks AAA first-party multiplayer titles. The Factions mode in The Last of Us was a welcome addition for its time. Similarly, the addition of Legends mode in Ghost of Tsushima was a change of pace for those wanting to take a break from exploring the game's lush open-world. However, the multiplayer game modes in PlayStation's first-party portfolio currently do not have the longevity of Xbox's multiplayer-centric franchises like Halo, Gears, or Sea of Thieves. The Last of Us 2 Factions stands a chance to be that game for PlayStation if done right.
Halo's multiplayer has always been popular, and will likely be even more so with the launch of Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer this holiday season. Halo Infinite's technical previews set a solid first impression that fuels the expectations surrounding it. On top of that, Halo Infinite's multiplayer will launch for free on five different platforms with cross-play enabled. It wouldn't be surprising if Halo Infinite multiplayer becomes incredibly successful, which in-turn could bring Microsoft consistent revenue through microtransactions.
While PlayStation's single-player first-party exclusives sell incredibly well, the company could benefit from expanding its first-party portfolio into free-to-play and live-service games. While there are rumors about Sony Santa Monica studio working on Legendz, a multiplayer sci-fi game, it's The Last of Us 2 Factions that could quickly establish the biggest audience.
For starters, The Last of Us 2 Factions will more likely have a free-to-play business model compared to Legendz or Jade Raymond's PS5 exclusive live-service title. Factions could work incredibly well as a free-to-play title, given the soaring popularity of The Last of Us franchise and Naughty Dog's expertise with PvP modes. Furthermore, The Last of Us 2-style gameplay, post-apocalyptic playgrounds, a rumored battle royale mode, and overall first-party production value would work wonders for a standalone free-to-play multiplayer title, which is exactly what PlayStation currently lacks.
Given PlayStation's recent strategy of bringing PS4 exclusives to PC, it wouldn't be too far-fetched if The Last of Us 2 Factions were to release on PC alongside PS4 and PS5. It would give that game exactly the boost Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer should have this holiday season when it ships on multiple platforms.
Naughty Dog is taking its time with The Last of Us 2 Factions, and rightly so if it wants it to be a successful project in the long-term. The chances of The Last of Us 3 happening are pretty high, especially since Naughty Dog has finished outlining the plot, and The Last of Us 2 Factions seems like a perfect appetizer to keep fans engaged until that time comes. More importantly, The Last of Us 2 Factions stands a chance to be the multiplayer title that could rival Halo Infinite's multiplayer in terms of scope, and eventual revenue that the PlayStation brand could greatly benefit from.
The Last of Us 2 Factions is currently in development.