The Last of Us Multiplayer: A Disaster Waiting to Happen?

Naughty Dog's previously announced multiplayer game for The Last of Us has been noticeably absent from recent events, with the studio clarifying that it is going back to the drawing board. It appears that the game may have been focusing too heavily on current gaming trends that are now losing popularity. Given Naughty Dog's reputation for delivering high-quality games, it is understandable that they want to keep any incomplete projects under wraps. The Last of Us franchise has gained a considerable following, particularly after the success of the HBO adaptation, and Naughty Dog has taken this into account when considering the timing of their next entry. However, the studio places a higher importance on producing a quality product over quick profits, and has sought guidance from Bungie in order to ensure that the game meets their high standards.

Naughty Dog May Have Averted Disaster With Its Recent Delay

After the unveiling of Naughty Dog's The Last of Us multiplayer project at 2022's Summer Game Fest by Neil Druckmann, fans eagerly anticipated more news about the game. Druckmann himself confirmed in early 2023 that the game's big reveal was slated to happen within the year. Although the game was expected to make an appearance at this year's Summer Game Fest or the PlayStation Showcase, a decision was made to skip both events after consultation with Bungie. The game is still in active development and undergoing significant retooling, and a statement by Naughty Dog on Twitter announced that more time was needed before the game could be introduced to the public.

Following a disappointing reveal for Rocksteady's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the news has now been announced that the game's release date has been delayed until 2024. Despite the excitement generated by the initial trailer in 2020, the subsequent gameplay reveal in February 2023 received mixed reviews, with criticisms levied at the game's outdated loot mechanics, clunky movement and action, and a gameplay structure that had already been criticized in another game, Gotham Knights.

The Last of Us Should Be Setting Trends, Not Chasing Them

The gaming industry is a tricky business when it comes to timing, as gaming trends often clash with the lengthy process of game design. A game that may have been a hit during its inception could end up feeling outdated in an oversaturated genre by the time it is released. Loot-based gameplay was all the rage for a while, with many studios attempting to emulate the success of Destiny by incorporating ARPG mechanics into shooters and open-world RPGs.

However, when Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League showcased a gear system during its gameplay reveal, the audience was left disappointed as this mechanic had become trite and overused. Rocksteady's decision to delay the game was a wise one, echoing the tough choices made by Naughty Dog with their upcoming release of The Last of Us, which finds itself in a similar predicament.

Naughty Dog, known for its exceptional game development, is working on the new multiplayer game for The Last of Us. Despite the delay, fans still anticipate something extraordinary from the studio.