The gaming world is no stranger to leaks and speculations, but when a known leaker speaks, the community often listens. Such is the case with The Last of Us, the iconic post-apocalyptic title that has, for long, tantalized players with the prospect of a multiplayer mode.
Background: The Multiplayer Potential
The Last of Us franchise, besides being known for its immersive storytelling and characters, had also dabbled in multiplayer gameplay. The initial installment offered players a taste of this with its 'Factions MP' mode. This mode translated the game's gritty survival aspects into an online format, letting players experience the chaos decades after the calamitous outbreak.
This historical presence of multiplayer made fans all the more hopeful for its return when the sequel, "The Last of Us Part 2," was released in 2020. However, Naughty Dog, the game's developer, took a different route. Instead of adding multiplayer directly into the sequel, they teased the community with the promise of a separate multiplayer game or extension in the future.
Various Factions and the Anticipated Gameplay
One could argue that The Last of Us Part 2 already laid the groundwork for the multiplayer mode with the introduction of numerous factions. From the authoritative Washington Liberation Front (WLF) who hold the reins in Seattle, to The Seraphites, an enigmatic religious cult, the stage seemed set. Add to that, the fearsome Rattlers and the familiar militant Fireflies from the first game, the ingredients for a comprehensive multiplayer environment were all present.
A Reliable Leaker Douses Hope
Yet, even with such potential, a recent revelation has cast a shadow over the anticipated multiplayer game. ViewerAnon, a leaker credited with several accurate game leaks in the past, recently addressed a post by Twitter user MHM. Responding to the news that Anders Howard (the Principal Monetization Designer) had left Naughty Dog, MHM expressed that fans might have to come to terms with the multiplayer game's potential cancellation. ViewerAnon's curt response, borrowing from Star Trek, was succinct: "It’s dead, Jim."