Fans of The Last of Us were surprised to learn about the cancellation of the anticipated The Last of Us Online game by Naughty Dog. A leaked screenshot reveals what the menu of this multiplayer game would have looked like, featuring standard live-service elements like a battle pass, a store section, and a menu category titled 'jobs', possibly hinting at limited-time challenges. However, Naughty Dog has chosen to scrap the project due to its vast scale, stating that continuing with the game's release and support would require mobilizing the whole studio, significantly impacting the development of future single-player titles. The studio is known for its narrative-driven single-player experiences and has announced it is currently working on several "completely new single-player games". Additionally, a remastered version of The Last of Us Part II for the PS5 is slated for release in January.
Why has Naughty Dog canceled The Last of Us Online?The development studio decided to cancel The Last of Us Online as they realized that the game's large-scale ambition would necessitate deploying their entire studio's resources for a prolonged period post-release. This would have had a significant impact on the creation of new single-player games, which Naughty Dog is traditionally known for.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Comments
Seems like Naughty Dog is sticking to its narrative roots by choosing quality over quantity – a tough call, but it preserves their rep for crafting top-tier single-player experiences. As bummed as fans might be about The Last of Us Online, it’s kinda refreshing to see a studio prioritize their strengths and not spread themselves too thin.
Really bummed to see The Last of Us Online hit the cutting room floor; it had potential to bring the game's intense world into a new arena. But hey, if it means Naughty Dog's pouring that talent into fresh single-player stories, I'm game for that adventure.
Bittersweet news from Naughty Dog, as they opt to keep their storytelling crown shining rather than spreading themselves too thin on The Last of Us Online. Prioritizing their strength in single-player narratives feels right, even if it means shelving those multiplayer aspirations for now.