Development on a multiplayer PvP mod for The Last of Us Part 2 on PC has been halted after PlayStation intervened, requesting the developers cease work on the project. Modder Speclizer announced the cancellation on social media, stating, "Extremely sad that this never got to see the light of day." Speclizer also shared approximately 25 minutes of gameplay footage for the mod in June, showcasing its features.
The mod aimed to be an extensive addition, promising features such as listening mechanics to help locate enemy players, various perks, and a selection of maps not present in the original single-player game. The legal request from Sony, reportedly after nine months of development, is a significant setback for the team. While the exact reasons for Sony's intervention were not detailed, the mod's development was funded through a Patreon account, a factor that often leads to the shutdown of unofficial mods.
This news may resonate with players disappointed by the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in 2023, a project reportedly 80 percent complete at the time of its culling. The continued interest in Last of Us multiplayer experiences, demonstrated by the popularity of this mod and the earlier cancellation, suggests a clear demand that Sony may or may not address in the future.
The multiplayer component in the original The Last of Us was noted for its tense, emergent gameplay that effectively translated the series' stealth mechanics into a competitive format.