The Last of Us 2 Multiplayer Might Not Be Dead After All, Thanks to One Determined Modder
Fans of Last of Us 2 have been through an emotional roller coaster. First, Naughty Dog spent years building a standalone multiplayer project, then pulled the plug in 2023, leaving players staring at the metaphorical ruins like Joel after a bad day. But in a twist worthy of the series itself, the dream of multiplayer might not be gone. In fact, it might be crawling back to life, stitched together by the sheer willpower of one modder who refuses to let the idea die.
A Modder Brings New Hope to Last of Us 2 Multiplayer
Two years after Naughty Dog officially canceled its online spin-off, a modder known as Speclizer has shown early progress on a multiplayer mod for the PC version of Last of Us 2. The breakthrough is simple on paper but huge in practice, two independently controlled characters, both Ellies, running around in the same local session. It is not online, it is not polished, and it is definitely not ready for prime time, but it is the first real sign that multiplayer in Last of Us 2 could still happen in some form.
For a community that has been mourning the loss of the canceled project, this tiny spark has reignited hope. It is like finding one last bullet in your revolver when you thought you were out, not enough to win the fight, but enough to keep going.
Why Naughty Dog Canceled the Original Multiplayer Project
The original multiplayer game, known internally as The Last of Us Online, had been in development for four years before Naughty Dog shut it down. The studio explained that supporting a live service title would have required shifting nearly all of its resources away from single-player development, something it was not willing to do. Instead, the team chose to focus on its next major narrative project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
Reports from former developers paint a bittersweet picture. Some described the multiplayer project as the highlight of their careers, which makes its cancellation feel even heavier. According to multiple accounts, the shutdown was not a clean or painless process, and the decision left a noticeable impact on the team.
The Modding Community Refuses to Let the Idea Die
Ever since the cancellation, fans and modders have been poking at the game files, trying to figure out whether Last of Us 2 could support multiplayer in any form. Until now, no one had made visible progress. Speclizer’s work is the first time players have seen two characters coexisting in the same space without the game imploding.
The mod is still extremely early. It only works offline, it is unstable, and it is more of a proof of concept than a playable mode. But even that is enough to get the community buzzing. After all, Last of Us 2 is not exactly built for multiplayer, so seeing two Ellies running around together feels like witnessing a glitch in the Matrix, but in a good way.
The Future of the Mod Is Uncertain, but the Passion Is Real
As of January 2026, the mod remains experimental. There is no guarantee it will ever evolve into a full online multiplayer experience. Speclizer has been honest about the uncertainty, saying they are not sure whether the project will amount to anything. Still, they continue to explore the possibilities, driven by curiosity and the same stubborn determination that defines so many characters in Last of Us 2.
Even if the mod never becomes a fully functional multiplayer mode, it represents something important, the community’s refusal to let the idea fade away. Fans wanted multiplayer, developers wanted multiplayer, and now modders are trying to resurrect it from the ashes.
A New Chapter for Last of Us 2 Fans
The official multiplayer project may be gone, but the spirit of it lives on through the community. Last of Us 2 remains one of the most beloved and debated games of its generation, and the desire for a multiplayer experience has never truly disappeared. Whether Speclizer’s mod becomes something playable or simply inspires others to push further, it is clear that fans are not ready to let go.
In a world where everything feels bleak and uncertain, a tiny spark of hope is sometimes all you need. And right now, that spark looks a lot like two Ellies awkwardly running around the same room.
