Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Online May Be Over, but Former Game Director Aims to Create a Cinematic Multiplayer Experience at New Studio

Unfulfilled Hopes for The Last of Us Online

The anticipation surrounding The Last of Us Online was palpable among fans of the franchise. Since its initial multiplayer launch through the Factions mode in 2013, players have continued to embrace it. However, Naughty Dog’s decision to pivot away from a multiplayer-centric development approach culminated in the cancellation of this long-awaited project, leaving both fans and the studio’s developers disheartened.

Reflections from Vinit Agarwal

Recently, former game director Vinit Agarwal shared insights regarding his departure from Naughty Dog after a rewarding decade. In a conversation with Game*Spark, noted by VGC, Agarwal emphasized his vision of blending Naughty Dog’s renowned cinematic storytelling with multiplayer gameplay as a driving force behind his exit.

“My efforts were centered on major titles like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, and The Last of Us Part II, ” Agarwal explained.“I was involved in both multiplayer and single-player elements, primarily focusing on crafting boss battles. My aspiration was to evoke a sense of battling against a human player rather than AI, even in the single-player context. For instance, I contributed to the final confrontation in A Thief’s End and the iconic clash between Ellie and Abby in The Last of Us Part II. My experience in multiplayer motivated me to create that unique, human-like feel in boss battles.”

A New Venture: Collaborative Studio in the Works

Following his departure, Agarwal established an international studio spanning the United States and Japan alongside fellow Naughty Dog veteran, writer, and former creative director Joe Pettinati, who will oversee the US operations. Agarwal will be based in Japan as they embark on this new journey. The studio’s name has yet to be revealed.

The Vision for their New Game

Describing their upcoming title as “triple-indie, ” Agarwal revealed that the project is still in its infancy, having only begun development a few months ago. He stated, “While details are limited at this stage, our focus lies on creating a multiplayer experience that encapsulates the cinematic action essence known from our previous projects. We have already begun discussions with potential partners and anticipate sharing more information soon.”

What Lies Ahead

While Agarwal and Pettinati’s new project will not replicate the essence of The Last of Us Online and will certainly steer clear of Sony’s copyrighted materials, it may well satisfy the longing of Factions enthusiasts who were eager for a robust multiplayer experience prior to the original project’s cancellation.

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