"The Last of Us Online was around '80 percent' complete before it was canceled, reflecting a significant investment in development that ultimately did not come to fruition."
"Sony's misguided live-service pivot began around 2020, as online games became a way for people to connect during the pandemic, but interest waned as restrictions eased."
"A decision had to be made between continuing with the experimental game or focusing on the next project directed by Neil Druckmann, leading to the cancellation."
"Finding out about the cancellation just 24 hours before the public announcement was a devastating moment for Agarwal, who had invested seven years into the project."
Naughty Dog canceled The Last of Us Online, which was nearly complete, to prioritize single-player narrative games. Vinit Agarwal, the project's director, shared insights on Sony's shift towards live-service games during the pandemic. As online gaming popularity declined post-pandemic, Naughty Dog reassessed its resources, leading to the cancellation. Agarwal expressed disappointment over the decision, having dedicated seven years to the project, and learned of the cancellation just a day before the public announcement.
Read at Kotaku
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