The Last of Us 2's lack of a multiplayer mode was a disappointment to many fans. While Naughty Dog has confirmed that it is in development, it is difficult to make any predictions about when it is coming. An unforeseen surprise of the original The Last of Us was its Factions multiplayer mode, as players started by either joining the Fireflies or the Hunters before going on to compete in brutal deathmatches - with the winners receiving supplies for their faction.
It was known well before the release of The Last of Us 2 that there was not going to be a multiplayer mode with the game, but since launch, Naughty Dog has hinted about its development. In a special letter to the community, Naughty Dog acknowledged The Last of Us 2's multiplayer, noting that the team is currently working on it, but still not ready to show anything. The problem is not that the mode isn't coming, because it has been discussed a handful of times. Instead, the issue is that the mode is feeling like a pipe dream through its media handling.
The Last of Us 2 Multiplayer and the Burden of Ambiguity
Game developers and publishers have the right to announce their projects when they see fit - that is indisputable. At the same time, fans have the right to express what they want to see from certain developers. When those two expectations are aligned, the gaming community is usually overjoyed, as the developer can finally show off what it is working on, and fans can share their excitement with other fans and the developer itself. When it comes to the ambiguous multiplayer of The Last of Us 2, though, this is not the case.
On paper, everything should be fine, because both of the expectations have been acted upon. Naughty Dog has hinted at a separate multiplayer game for years now, with fans knowing that it is the company's current project. Likewise, Naughty Dog is aware of what fans desire, with the game's director even saying it will be "worth the wait." However, the longer fans need to wait for news, the more it feels like this feature or game will never come out.
As of now, Factions is nothing but words on paper, explaining fan frustration. While it is considerate of Naughty Dog to tease its community with the knowledge that it is indeed making The Last of Us 2 multiplayer, this has had the unintended effect of making the game seem less tangible. Before the announcement from this year's The Last of Us Day, the last hint of the game was from 2020's celebration, creating a full year of silence surrounding The Last of Us 2's multiplayer. This disproportionate hinting by Naughty Dog has resulted in zero understanding of the project and how different it is from the original game's online experience.
Despite the assurances, it is hard to get behind a game that does not yet feel real. Naughty Dog's likely harmless intent of disclosing information piecemeal has given space for ambiguity and speculation rather than definition and assertion. Fans should not fault Naughty Dog, but rather, better align their expectations for a project lacking a formal announcement. The future of Naughty Dog looks defined by The Last of Us, so one way or another, new content will come - it is just a matter of when. Based on the lack of info, though, the wait for Factions could be a long one.
The Last of Us 2's Factions multiplayer is currently in development.