The Ultimate Showdown: The Last of Us Battle Royale vs Diablo 4 – Who Will Reign Supreme?

Highlights

Naughty Dog's upcoming The Last of Us multiplayer game could likely follow the live-service model of games like Diablo 4, learning from its successes and failures.

There is limited information available regarding The Last of Us multiplayer, however, there are speculations that it might incorporate open-world survival gameplay drawing inspiration from source material and gaming trends.

The initial season of Diablo 4 has been criticized for its imbalanced gameplay and monetization problems. Naughty Dog can take lessons from this to prevent encountering similar issues with their own live-service game.

As the gaming industry increasingly embraces live-service models for their games, Naughty Dog's highly anticipated multiplayer installment of The Last of Us is expected to follow suit. Drawing inspiration from Blizzard's successful AAA live-service game Diablo 4, Naughty Dog aims to learn from its triumphs and avoid its pitfalls.

Although specific details about Naughty Dog's upcoming standalone multiplayer game for The Last of Us are scarce, Neil Druckmann assures players that storytelling will remain a top priority, ensuring a cohesive narrative in spite of its multiplayer nature. While speculation suggests that the gameplay loop may resemble that of open-world survival titles and extraction shooters, this inference is based on source material and current gaming trends, rather than official information from Naughty Dog.

The Pitfalls of Live-Service Are Etched Clearly in Diablo 4's First Season

Diablo 4 received positive reviews and high expectations as a long-lasting game. However, the launch of its first season revealed flaws in its design, leading to player dissatisfaction with Blizzard's approach to game balance and monetization. The studio is now focused on damage control, addressing player concerns, and setting the stage for a more well-received second season. It is uncertain whether Diablo 4 will become a success or a cautionary tale. Nevertheless, Naughty Dog can gain insights from Diablo 4's development as they prepare for their own live-service game. Examining the successful battle pass systems in games like Fortnite and Destiny 2, Naughty Dog must avoid the shortcomings evident in Diablo 4's offering.

Aspects of Diablo 4's Model Will Work Well in The Last of Us

Although there are concerns about Blizzard implementing an in-game shop and battle pass for cosmetics in Diablo 4, it's worth noting that the game already offers a wide range of cosmetic options that many fans find enjoyable to explore. The extensive variety in aesthetic personalization greatly contributes to player engagement. If Naughty Dog wants their own live-service game to succeed, it would be crucial for them to consistently introduce diverse and appealing cosmetic options. However, it's important to remember that gameplay is always the most important aspect, and Naughty Dog must ensure that it remains top-notch.

The Last of Us' multiplayer game is currently in development.