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Yes. Naughty Dog announced on December 14, 2023, that it had stopped development on The Last of Us Online, its planned standalone multiplayer game. The studio said the project’s long-term support needs would take resources away from future single-player games. As of September 28, 2026, Naughty Dog had not announced that the game was returning.
What was The Last of Us Online?
Naughty Dog described the project in June 2022 as a full-scale standalone multiplayer game connected to the Factions multiplayer from the original The Last of Us. It was intended to be a separate game, not simply a multiplayer mode added to one of the single-player entries. The studio said its multiplayer team had been working on the project since the period when it was developing The Last of Us Part II.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Last of Us Part II (Remastered) (Nordic) | $41.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Last of Us Part I – PlayStation 5 | $37.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Last of Us Part II Collector's Edition for PS4 PS5 | Buy on Amazon |
In its 2023 cancellation announcement, Naughty Dog said the game was ramping toward full production when the scale of the project became clear. It did not announce a release date, budget, player forecast, or completion percentage, so claims that the game was nearly finished are not established by the studio’s announcement.
Why did Naughty Dog cancel it?
Naughty Dog said releasing the game and supporting post-launch content for years would require all of the studio’s resources, “severely impacting development on future single-player games.” The studio framed the choice as whether to become a developer focused solely on live-service games or continue making the single-player narrative games it was known for. These are the studio’s stated reasons, not independently verified findings about its finances or production.
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The studio announced its decision in a December 14, 2023 post: “We’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to stop development on that game.”
Is The Last of Us Online still happening?
Naughty Dog had not announced a revival as of its September 28, 2026 update. Co-president Neil Druckmann said the studio had “a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages” that would expand The Last of Us canon beyond Parts I and II, but he did not identify them as The Last of Us Online or say the multiplayer project had resumed.
Rank #2
- Enhanced visuals: Completely rebuilt from the ground up using Naughty Dog’s latest PS5 engine technology to improve every visual detail, The Last of Us experience has been faithfully enhanced with more realistic lighting and atmosphere, more intricate environments and creative reimaginings of familiar spaces.
- Fast loading: Initial loading times are near instant, and seamless after the first instance thanks to the PS5 console’s SSD – so you can pick up where you left off in the story and load specific encounters and chapters more quickly.
- Haptic feedback: DualSense wireless controller haptic feedback support for every weapon elevates combat encounters, and environments are brought to life through DualSense wireless controller haptic sensations of subtle falling rain, the crunch of stepping on snow and more.
- Adaptive triggers: All The Last of Us iconic weapons, including Joel’s revolver and Ellie’s bow, now deliver dynamic DualSense wireless controller trigger resistance and kickback on firing for deeper combat immersion.
- 3D Audio: Designed to make use of the PS5 console’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, Naughty Dog’s newly upgraded audio engine delivers richer soundscapes, bigger explosive moments and more visceral gameplay through compatible stereo headphones (analogue or USB) or TV speakers.
Druckmann also said Naughty Dog planned to fully reveal Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in 2027. That announcement is separate from the cancelled multiplayer game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can you play instead?
The Last of Us Part I is a separate single-player remake released in 2022. It is one option for revisiting the series, but it does not replace the cancelled online multiplayer experience.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Game: The Last of Us Part II, SteelBook, 48-Page Art Book, Ellie Statue, Ellie’s bracelet, Four stickers, 6 Pins, Digital Art Book, Digital Soundtrack
Official announcements
- Naughty Dog’s June 2022 franchise update described the planned standalone multiplayer project.
- Naughty Dog’s December 14, 2023 cancellation announcement explained the decision and the studio’s stated rationale.
- Naughty Dog’s September 28, 2026 update discussed other early-stage projects in the franchise without announcing a return for Online.
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