A highly-anticipated mod for The Last of Us 2 that aimed to bring multiplayer functionality to the game has been canceled. Developer Speclizer announced on September 13 that they received a cease and desist letter from Sony Interactive Entertainment, leading to the project's discontinuation. The mod had been planned for a public release sometime this month.
Speclizer shared the news on X, stating that Sony requested the mod not be released. While the specifics of Sony's letter were not disclosed, speculation among fans suggests that the monetization of the project, particularly through Patreon access during its development, may have prompted Sony's intervention. Monetizing mods is frequently a catalyst for companies to issue takedown requests due to intellectual property concerns.
Prior to the cancellation, Speclizer had been providing regular updates on the mod's progress via YouTube. A recent video uploaded in August, titled "We're getting closer," showcased what appeared to be a recreation of the original Last of Us' Factions mode. This mode featured two teams of four players competing in various match types, with progress tracked over a 12-week period and tied into an overarching narrative.
This cancellation follows Naughty Dog's own decision in late 2023 to scrap an official multiplayer game for the series, which was internally referred to as The Last of Us Online. Reports indicated that this project faced significant development challenges since its inception in 2020. Despite conceptual art being shared over time, the game never received an official reveal, nor was any gameplay ever demonstrated.
The Last of Us Online, envisioned as a standalone title, was intended to be considerably more expansive than the Factions mode from the original game. It was also part of Sony's broader strategy to invest in live-service titles, a strategy that has seen numerous project cancellations and studio closures. Although a dedicated multiplayer title for The Last of Us may not materialize, Naughty Dog has recently indicated that it continues to explore possibilities for the franchise.