The standalone multiplayer title that was initially alleged to be an accompanying mode for The Final of Us Half 2 has been in improvement for over three years, and seems to have not too long ago undergone extra setbacks – a troubling step for a recreation that has missed its golden alternative. Developer Naughty Canine has been noticeably tight-lipped on the work-in-progress, with the one official information on the multiplayer third-person shooter being affirmation of its existence, and a pair items of idea artwork. After being a no-show on the Might 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Naughty Canine assured followers that TLOU‘s multiplayer recreation was nonetheless on the best way, although its extended improvement continues to harm its possibilities of turning into the dwell service smash hit PlayStation seemingly hopes it’s going to be.
Previous to The Final of Us Half 2‘s launch in June 2020, it was revealed that its deliberate multiplayer part had turn out to be too bold of a undertaking in its personal proper, and can be spun off from the primary recreation with the intention to keep away from a delay. Though particulars have been scarce even then, TLOU 2‘s multiplayer was anticipated to be an iteration on The Final of Us‘ Factions, a four-versus-four PvP recreation mode that included the useful resource looking and crafting from the sport’s iconic single-player marketing campaign. Three years later, nonetheless nearly nothing is understood in regards to the recreation, and obvious delays aren’t precisely promising.
The Final Of Us Multiplayer Seems To Have Been Delayed At Naughty Canine
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Remaining Fantasy 16 headlined the PlayStation Showcase on Might 24, 2023, which was in any other case noticeably missing bulletins pertaining to PlayStation’s first-party studios. Smaller, extra not too long ago acquired improvement homes like Haven Studios and Firewalk Studios introduced Fairgame$ and Harmony respectively, however Naughty Canine hasn’t made any waves for the reason that PC launch of The Final of Us Half 1 in March – which drew seemingly undesirable consideration resulting from quite a lot of efficiency points. Followers’ disappointment following the Showcase was clearly observed, nonetheless, and Naughty Dog points an announcement by way of Twitter detailing that The Final of Us‘ multiplayer undertaking wants extra time within the oven.
The assertion is innocuous sufficient, and never completely sudden, even dropping the slightest of teases about “a model new single-player expertise” within the works. Nonetheless, roughly half an hour later, Bloomberg video games business reporter Jason Schreier tweeted extra particulars on the state of affairs, saying the group engaged on The Final of Us multiplayer has been “considerably scaled down.”
Though the Naughty Canine assertion does not outright state it, Schreier notes that there was one thing of an inside delay whereas the undertaking is reassessed. Naughty Canine apparently issued its assertion in an try and assuage followers’ issues forward of Schreier’s report, printed by Bloomberg, for which Naughty Canine was contacted for remark.
TLOU Multiplayer Is Nonetheless Promising, Even Although We Know Nothing About It
Regardless of obvious setbacks, The Final of Us‘ multiplayer undertaking holds an unimaginable quantity of potential. A decade because it’s premier in 2013, The Final of Us‘ Factions mode nonetheless stays pretty distinctive, if underappreciated. The thought of merely iterating on its formulation is attractive sufficient, however the standalone multiplayer title’s teased setting seems to be elaborating on Half 2‘s post-apocalyptic model of the USA’ west coast, and the sequel’s gameplay developments from Half 1 – such because the introduction of inclined place – supply new wrinkles to Factions’ gameplay alone.
Factions’ meta-game revolving round procuring assets for a burgeoning group of survivors additionally suits properly into the present panorama of aggressive multiplayer, the place extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, Hunt: Showdown, and Bungie’s not too long ago introduced revival of Marathon have been gaining prominence. Naughty Canine’s observe document of high quality releases (TLOU Half 1‘s poor PC efficiency apart), mixed with an apparently over-ambitious imaginative and prescient for the standalone The Final of Us multiplayer was sufficient to gas pleasure in the course of the watch for extra information. An obvious inside reassessment of the undertaking, nonetheless, does not bode properly for the studio’s first try at a bona fide dwell service recreation.
The Final Of Us Multiplayer’s Excellent Launch Date Has Already Handed
The unique intention for The Final of Us Half 2‘s multiplayer, to have it launch alongside the bottom recreation, seemingly would have given it a robust likelihood at success. When TLOU 2 launched in 2020 it shattered PlayStation gross sales information, turning into one of many fastest-selling exclusives within the model’s historical past, which means the multiplayer seemingly might’ve thrived on the participant base’s sheer numbers alone. Naughty Canine’s choice to interrupt it off right into a standalone title was greater than comprehensible, although, and provided the thrilling prospect of a really strong Factions successor.
Maybe the perfect alternative for the sport to launch, nonetheless, would have been earlier in 2023 close to when HBO’s The Final of Us adaption collection was airing. The trustworthy and lauded first season introduced an unprecedented quantity of consideration to the collection – consideration that would have been leveraged into each software program gross sales of TLOU multiplayer and {hardware} gross sales of the PlayStation 5. Shortly after the present’s finale was the proper launch date for Half 1 on PC, however the additional buzz would have arguably been higher served on a brand-new recreation.
With no plans for a Half 3 any time quickly, nonetheless, The Final of Us‘ multiplayer recreation faces a predicament. The collection is basically identified for its single-player tales steeped in drama, wonderful writing, and spectacular animation, however is continuously mild on gameplay comparatively. It is very possible that a good portion of the collection’ fan base has little interest in a multiplayer-only title. The Final of Us‘ fame additionally has an opportunity to hurt the multiplayer recreation’s broader attraction, particularly because it’ll be getting into into the notoriously tumultuous dwell service scene, the place solely essentially the most profitable video games appear to final greater than a couple of yr.
Sticking with a longtime IP might be the most secure wager for Sony’s deliberate foray into dwell service releases, however even a bestseller like The Final of Us is not assured to catch lightning in a bottle. Naughty Canine reportedly cutting down the sport’s improvement group nearly three years after The Final of Us Half 2‘s launch does not bode properly both, as there is a non-zero likelihood the undertaking’s reassessment turns into an outright cancelation. For now, Naughty Canine a minimum of publicly seems decided to ship The Final of Us‘ standalone multiplayer to the general public, and whereas a concerted follow-up to Factions can be greater than welcome, the prolonged and apparently troubled improvement continues to solely hinder its probabilities at success.
Sources: Naughty Dog/Twitter, Jason Schreier/Twitter, Bloomberg