A planned multiplayer mod for Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Part II has been canceled after its developer received a cease-and-desist notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment. The modder, known as @Speclizer_ on social media, announced the shutdown, stating that they "recently received a letter on behalf of Sony Interactive Entertainment requesting for the mod not to be released."
@Speclizer_ had spent months developing the mod, which was reportedly nearing completion and slated for release this month. In a social media post, the modder expressed sadness over the cancellation but thanked supporters and indicated plans to pursue original projects. "Thank you all for the incredible amount of support over the last year. I hope to bring you something bigger and better soon!" @Speclizer_ stated.
Naughty Dog originally intended to include a robust multiplayer component in The Last of Us Part II. This initiative eventually evolved into a standalone online game, codenamed The Last of Us Online. However, after years of development and significant investment, Naughty Dog announced in December 2023 that the project had been canceled. The studio cited a desire to focus on single-player experiences as the reason for the cancellation. At that time, Naughty Dog confirmed it had two single-player titles in development. One of these has been revealed as Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, while the identity of the second remains unknown, though speculation suggests it could be The Last of Us 3. In related news, Naughty Dog studio head Neil Druckmann has confirmed his lack of creative involvement in the upcoming third season of HBO's The Last of Us series, a departure from his direct participation in the first two seasons.