The Last of Us Online: Canceled After 80% Completion | News & Updates

Naughty Dog, the studio behind the critically acclaimed The Last of Us franchise, quietly abandoned a multiplayer project based on the game after more than seven years of development, according to reports surfacing this week. The project, known internally as The Last of Us Online, was reportedly 80% complete before being cancelled.

The cancellation, first reported by Czech gaming website Konzolista.cz and subsequently confirmed by multiple outlets including Hrej.cz, Gamepress.cz, and Gamereactor.cz, marks a significant shift in direction for the studio. Sources familiar with the project indicated the multiplayer component was envisioned as a substantial undertaking, representing a considerable investment of resources.

While Naughty Dog has not publicly detailed the reasons for the cancellation, the decision follows a period of shifting priorities within the company and its parent organization, Sony Interactive Entertainment. The studio is currently focused on developing future single-player experiences and supporting its live-service title, The Last of Us’s single-player counterpart.

The scope of The Last of Us Online was ambitious, aiming to recreate the tense and brutal world of the original game in a persistent multiplayer environment. Details regarding gameplay mechanics and narrative integration remained largely undisclosed prior to the project’s termination. Reports suggest the game was intended to expand upon the established lore, offering players new stories and challenges within the post-apocalyptic setting.

The cancellation leaves a void for fans anticipating a multiplayer experience within the The Last of Us universe. However, another studio, Terminal War, is attempting to fill that gap. According to Spite.cz, Terminal War aims to deliver a similar experience to what was promised by the cancelled The Last of Us Online project.

Naughty Dog has not announced any plans to revive the multiplayer component of The Last of Us, and the future of the cancelled project remains uncertain. Sony Interactive Entertainment has yet to comment on the financial implications of abandoning the project, or whether any assets developed for The Last of Us Online will be repurposed for future titles.