The Last of Us 2 has been available to purchase since June 2020, and there is still no sign of the confirmed multiplayer mode being released. Multiplayer has been officially confirmed by Naughty Dog, but there are no significant details about it yet. The Factions multiplayer mode in the first game was received well by fans and critics, and there are a lot of fans eagerly awaiting news on the follow-up. A specific release date was never set in stone by Naughty Dog, but some fans are expecting multiplayer won't be released until 2022.
The Last of Us 2 was a divisive game when it was originally released. Some gamers disliked the handling of the story and some of the characters, whereas some praised it for trying something different. The game still went on to enjoy huge financial success and earned numerous gaming awards. Now that the game has been out in the wild for some time, gamers have been hoping this would mean Naughty Dog is hard at work on the multiplayer portion of the title. While the team is undoubtedly working on it at the moment, it's becoming more difficult to envision a 2021 release for some fans of the survival franchise.
It Could Be More Ambitious Than Originally Planned
While it's difficult to know exactly what to expect from The Last of Us Part 2's multiplayer mode, previous comments from Naughty Dog could shed some light on it. The developer stated previously that the multiplayer mode wouldn't come with the base game at launch.
While this was met with disappointment from some, Naugty Dog made it clear in 2019 that the plans for multiplayer had exceeded what was originally thought. While it's not crystal clear if this is a standalone project, or if it will still be tied to The Last of Us Part 2, it seems as though this expansion has grown bigger than intended. A larger project could be more demanding for the team and ultimately be a reason behind a later launch.
Naughty Dog Has Been Quiet On the Subject
Naughty Dog has been silent on the subject of the multiplayer mode for some time. The last comment about the expansion came from Neil Druckmann in September 2020, who stated that it'll be worth the wait. This came after The Last of Us Day passed by without a mention of multiplayer, and the game director took to Twitter to put fans' minds at ease. Some fans were certainly hoping for more substantial news on The Last of Us 2's multiplayer status, but the lack of significant updates could simply mean there wasn't anything noteworthy to share.
A job listing posted by Naughty Dog suggests that the team is looking for someone experienced with long-term multiplayer development. The team is looking for an Economy Designer, who would oversee live service elements of a multiplayer game. It's entirely speculative that this relates to The Last of Us Part 2's multiplayer, but some fans are hoping this new position relates to it. Without anything confirmed by Naughty Dog, this could relate to any of its properties or unannounced projects.
Until Naughty Dog reveals more official information on the multiplayer mode, it's going to be hard to judge when it will launch. If 2021 continues to march on without further announcements related to the expansion, it could mean that a 2022 release is increasingly likely.
The Impact Of Covid-19
Several games have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Last of Us Part 2 was no exception to this in 2020, with the game seeing a delay before it was finally released in June. Many developers, both big and small, have been affected by the pandemic and it's easy to imagine this impacting Naughty Dog's multiplayer as well. Teams all around the world have had to start working from home, which could understandably cause logistical issues for any team-based project. While there isn't confirmation of the health crisis hindering Naughty Dog at the moment specifically, it stands to reason that the team could be hampered by it, like many others.
Concerning the pandemic, it's important to note that Naughty Dog could have several projects in the works at the moment. Neil Druckmann stated on Twitter recently that the team has several "cool things" that will be shared with fans. The Co-President of Naughty Dog asked for patience when it comes to the developer's new projects. Logistical issues are bound to arise from the ongoing pandemic, and having several projects in the works could compound the issue.
The Leaked Naughty Dog Project List
A recent and unverified leak of Naughty Dog's projects managed to find its way online, and while all leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, it could suggest that the developer is busier than ever. The leak claims that the team is working on a new IP, an Abby-focused DLC for The Last of Us Part 2, in addition to multiplayer and ports of Uncharted to PC. While this remains a completely unverified leak, if this does turn out to be accurate it provides another reason for multiplayer to be delayed.
Naughty Dog is a large developer, but having this many projects possibly in the works could mean staggered launches. The possibility of the developer being so busy presents another likely case for The Last of Us 2's multiplayer to be launching later than expected.
Multiplayer for The Last of Us Part 2 is highly anticipated, but for some players it's easy to foresee it not launching until 2022. The Coronavirus pandemic could easily be affecting the company's ability to work. The relative silence from Naughty Dog on the multiplayer mode also suggests that the team doesn't have anything it's willing to share just yet. The Last of Us 2's factions provide a solid baseline for multiplayer action in the franchise, but fans will likely have to wait some more time before it's released into the wild.
The Last of Us Part 2 is available now on PlayStation 4.