Gaming Community takes the reins and works to bring a multiplayer experience to The Last of Us Part 2 in early 2026. This is happening because, over two years ago, the developer Naughty Dog canceled the official project called Factions, leaving Brazilian and worldwide fans without the anticipated online functionality. Now, a modder known as Speclizer_ is leading unofficial efforts to implement a PvP mode in the PC game, despite the project being in a very early and “broken” stage, as he himself admits. In this way, players are trying to fill a gap that the developer itself chose not to occupy.
The initiative gained visibility through a clip shared on social media, showing two characters testing the mod in the vast Seattle map. However, the characters appear floating, which highlights the rudimentary state of the modification. As a result, it is still not possible to predict if the project will reach a fully playable version, but it already represents the most concrete attempt to revive the abandoned multiplayer. Therefore, the community is keeping an eye on it, fueling the hope of seeing Ellie and Abby in PvP confrontations, something that seemed lost since the cancellation announcement.
A Fan Project for Fans
Speclizer_, a respected name among mod creators for the franchise, made it clear that the focus is on a player versus player (PvP) mode. He explained that adding NPCs controlled by artificial intelligence complicates the code too much, so the priority is matches between humans. Meanwhile, Naughty Dog is preparing to launch its next game, Intergalactic, but the absence of a multiplayer title from the The Last of Us series continues to weigh heavily. The developer has not commented on the community’s efforts, which is common in this scenario of unofficial modifications.
Despite the technical challenges, the simple fact that the mod is running, even if precariously, is already an interesting sign for the most dedicated fans. After all, with the official Factions mode discarded for so long, any progress in this direction is met with enthusiasm. In this way, Speclizer_’s work is not only technical but also symbolic, showing the power of an engaged community to preserve and expand the experiences it loves most. The future of the mod is uncertain, but its existence has already reignited a valuable discussion about the franchise’s multiplayer legacy.
