Naughty Dog's canceled multiplayer ambitions for The Last of Us Part 2 may never see official release, but a determined modder is stepping in to scratch that itch for PC players. Developer Speclizer has been building a PvP mod featuring playable characters like Ellie and Abby, with a launch window set for September.
The modder published 25 minutes of early gameplay footage showing a surprisingly polished system. The video reveals functional matchmaking, multiple maps, and customizable loadouts, suggesting months of serious development work. While rough in places, the mod demonstrates what fan-made revival might look like for the franchise's dormant competitive side.
Speclizer has been transparent about progress through regular updates on social media since January, when the project officially began. Recent videos show diverse environments including school, Seattle, and gas station locales. Previous clips hinted at additional characters and cosmetics like Ellie's spacesuit costume, though what makes the final cut remains uncertain as development continues.
Naughty Dog shelved The Last of Us Online in late 2023 after the scope ballooned beyond what the studio could sustain alongside its core single-player focus. The developer explained that supporting a live service title would have consumed resources needed for narrative-driven games that define the studio's identity. Since then, Naughty Dog has released little on its slate beyond Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which remains undated.
The cancelation disappointed players banking on a sequel to Factions, the original game's multiplayer mode. Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida later described the version he sampled as excellent, while a former director revealed the project had reached approximately 80% completion before the axe fell. What Naughty Dog actually envisioned may never be known.
Speclizer's PC-only mod won't replicate every design choice from the studio's shelved vision, but it offers something concrete for fans tired of waiting. The September timeline puts a playable alternative within reach far sooner than any official revival appears likely.
Author Emily Chen: "This is what happens when publishers abandon multiplayer dreams mid-flight: talented modders step in to build what studios won't, and the community gets to decide what matters more."
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