A fan-made Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod has been cancelled after its developer received a legal notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment. The project had been expected to reach the public during September 2026.
Sony notice ends the fan multiplayer project
Speclizer announced the cancellation in an X post on 13 September. The developer said a letter sent on Sony Interactive Entertainment’s behalf requested that the mod not be released, but did not publish the letter or provide further detail.
Some fans speculate that monetisation may have contributed to the decision. During development, access to the mod was placed behind a Patreon paywall. Charging for access to an unofficial project based on protected intellectual property can increase the likelihood of rights holders intervening.
Before the cancellation, Speclizer had shared regular development updates on YouTube. The latest video, titled “We’re getting closer” and uploaded in August, suggested the project was designed around the structure of the original Last of Us Factions mode.
That mode placed two teams of four against one another in different match types, while connecting each match to a wider 12-week story. The cancelled fan project aimed to recreate that multiplayer format within Last of Us Part 2.
The official Last of Us multiplayer project also ended
The fan project followed the cancellation of Naughty Dog’s own multiplayer title, known as The Last of Us Online. In late 2023, the studio confirmed that the official game would not proceed after development had been under way since 2020.
The project had reportedly faced a difficult development cycle. Naughty Dog shared concept art over the years, but The Last of Us Online was never formally revealed and no gameplay footage was shown.
The proposed standalone game was intended to be considerably larger than the original Factions mode. It was also part of Sony’s broader plan to build a portfolio of live-service games. That strategy has since seen multiple projects cancelled and studios closed.
For now, there is no confirmed Last of Us multiplayer release. Naughty Dog has, however, recently indicated that it still has plans for the wider series.
What this means for fan-made projects
The cancellation highlights the uncertainty surrounding unofficial multiplayer modifications, particularly when they use characters, assets or systems from a commercial game and charge for access during development. For players interested in arcade-style multiplayer experiences, the RETROCADE Arcade Blog covers gaming and arcade news, while Arcade Videos offers more to watch.
Anyone planning a home setup can also compare options in the Arcade Machine Buying Guide or browse arcade machines for multiplayer-friendly cabinets.
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