Naughty Doghas incorporated multiplayer into many of its games, but the studios never released a primarily multiplayer-focused title. However, that is about to change, according to recent job listings from the Santa Monica-based developer.
Naughty Dogis looking for a new gameplay scripter and level designer to join its team on a multiplayer-focused project. The posting fueled speculation that the promised Factions mode forThe Last of Us 2might be getting spun off into a separate game.
RELATED:Resistance 4 Was Allegedly Scrapped Because of The Last of Us
The ad invites potential applicants to “Embark on Naughty Dog’s newest adventure – the studio’s first standalone multiplayer game!” It goes on to explain the studio’s desire to create a multiplayer experience that shows the same quality and ambition as its story-driven offerings. While there’s no concrete evidence pointing that direction, it’s possible the studio is working on a multiplayer spinoff of its popularThe Last of Usseries.
The originalThe Last of Usfeatured several team-based multiplayer modes. Players took the role as a member of either the Fireflies or a group of hostile survivors called the Hunters. While the single-player story wasThe Last of Us’primary focus, the Factions modes were nonetheless quite popular. Naughty Dog initially intended for there to also be a multiplayer component inThe Last of Us 2. The studio axed those plans in favor of focusing on the game’s single-player content.
Naughty Dog previously indicated a desire toreintroduce Factionsin some capacity. Expanding it into a full game creates opportunities for a multiplayer experience that’s much greater in scope. It also makes sense given comments from PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst. During a Q&A earlier this month, he talked about how Narrative-driven single-player games have been and will continue to be a significant focus for PlayStation Studios. However, he also indicated an interest in offering more varied experiences, saying, “Who says that multiplayer experience cannot have great stories, right?”
So, while still far from confirmed, a multiplayer-focusedThe Last of Usgame seems increasingly likely. Whether it will be a spinoff or a direct sequel is still an open question. Anearly outline forThe Last of Us 3already exists but is not in development, according to Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann. There are also substantial hurdles to creating a story-driven multiplayer experience, assuming that’s what the studio has in mind. Just look at the originalTitanfallto see how narrative storytelling and competitive multiplayer can be hard to mix.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that the upcoming game will even be part ofThe Last of Usfranchise. Naughty Dog could just as easily transplant Factions-inspired gameplayinto a new setting. There is no official confirmation the new game has any connection toThe Last of Usat all. Still, fans ofThe Last of Us’multiplayer have good reasons to be hopeful.
MORE:The Last of Us 2’s JJ Could End Up A Lot Like The Walking Dead’s AJ
