Insider Shares Grim The Last of Us Online Cancelation Details

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Insider Shares Grim The Last of Us Online Cancelation Details

Highlights

  • The cancelation of The Last of Us Online massively disappointed fans in December 2023.
  • According to one insider, the game was in development for four years with a team “in the hundreds.”
  • Leaked images of the title hinted at common live service elements such as a Battle Pass, a Battle Royale mode, an in-game item store, and seasonal content.

As a hardcore gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the cancellation of The Last of Us Online was a gut punch to the community. Four years in development, a team “in the hundreds,” and the potential for a Battle Royale mode had us all salivating like starved wolves.

A trusted source within the gaming industry has leaked fresh insights about the upheaval that occurred backstage at PlayStation after the scrapping of the standalone multiplayer spin-off for The Last of Us, which was reportedly in development for around four years. This decision to convert The Last of Us into a new multiplayer game was ultimately revoked in 2023, leading to significant personnel changes at Sony.

The cancellation of “The Last of Us Online” was a significant disappointment for fans, particularly avid gamers who had eagerly anticipated a fresh multiplayer experience in the world of “The Last of Us” since the original’s Factions mode. This well-liked multiplayer aspect of “The Last of Us” offered three distinct game modes for players to engage in competitive play. Initially, when Naughty Dog unveiled the first concept art for the upcoming standalone multiplayer game within the universe of “The Last of Us”, they acknowledged Factions as a significant influence in their decision to create something more expansive. However, in December 2023, the studio announced that development on “The Last of Us Online” had been put on hold due to the game’s massive scale and the resources necessary for its maintenance.

Approximately one year after the game was scrapped, industry insider and journalist Jason Schreier has disclosed some troubling insights about the production process. During an interview on the Friends Per Second podcast, Schreier shared that The Last of Us Online reportedly was being developed for around four years by a team numbering in the hundreds. He also clarified that the project’s cancellation wasn’t a peaceful decision.

The Last of Us Online Was An Expensive Cancelation For Sony

Schreier primarily joined the Friends Per Second podcast to delve into the recent job cuts at Bungie, a renowned game developer recognized for its popular shooter, Destiny 2. Besides discussing these layoffs, the journalist also brought up live service games in general and mentioned the scrapped multiplayer version of The Last of Us, titled The Last of Us Online. While this isn’t unexpected news, Schreier hinted that Sony executives may have faced repercussions following its cancellation, implying possible issues within the studio leadership. He further disclosed that the project was costly, primarily due to the large number of employees assigned to it.

Information about The Last of Us Online, which has been under development for quite some time, has not been widely shared. However, following the game’s cancellation by Naughty Dog, various images related to The Last of Us Online started surfacing online. These leaked images suggested that this standalone multiplayer title was likely to incorporate common live service features like a Battle Pass, a Battle Royale mode, an in-game marketplace, seasonal updates, and more.

Despite the disappointment caused by the cancellation of “The Last of Us Online”, PlayStation continues to develop a variety of live service games. One of the highly anticipated titles in this category is “Concord”, set to launch on both PlayStation 5 and PC by August 23rd.

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2024-08-13 18:23