By Published Apr 3, 2026, 8:44 AM EDT Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
fans have long been debating the future of the franchise in terms of new games and a potential Part 3, which Naughty Dog director Niel Druckmann has hinted at multiple times over the years since The Last of Us Part 2 released.
However, according to a new interview from a former Naughty Dog developer, there was actually a brand-new The Last of Us game that was so close to being release before it was tragically canceled in the 11th hour (via ). The news has completely devastated fans who feel they were robbed of an extremely unique and one-of-a-kind TLOU experience.
The Last Of Us Fans Were Robbed Of Something Special
According to an interview earlier this week with former director Vinit Agarwal, TLOU Online was "80% complete" at the time it was canceled back in 2026. The Last of Us Online was a standalone multiplayer project by Naughty Dog set in The Last of Us universe, built in an upgraded version of their proprietary engine used for The Last of Us Part 2.
It was intended to feature survival-focused, faction-based gameplay with PvPvE elements, narrative-driven objectives, and evolving environments where players scavenge, craft, and compete or cooperate as they progress. The game aimed to function as a live-service experience with ongoing updates, but was canceled in 2026 after concerns about the resources required to sustain it long-term.
It's a shame the game got the axe when it was so close to being finished, and fans think it could have been something truly special. One Reddit user who goes by , for example, says that "The Last of Us 2 had fantastic stealth and gunplay, this could have been a great game," while claim it "was the only live service [game] I wanted to play."
Is The Last Of Us Part 3 Coming?
While it's unfortunate that we'll never know for certain what The Last of Us Online experience actually would have looked and felt like, fans are still left wondering about the future of the franchise. Clearly, an online multiplayer game is not in the cards, but Druckmann has over the years about the future of .
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Fans are completely torn over The Last of Us Part 3 and what shape that story would take. Some players argue that Ellie's arc is perfect as is, and a third game could ruin Part 2's resolution. Others believe the larger story in The Last of Us still needs to be finished, i.e., can the world still be saved and does Ellie have a part to play in that happening?
Ultimately, the future of The Last of Us franchise is uncertain at the moment, and Naughty Dog's focus is likely centered on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, their new sci-fi project that's anticipated to release in the next few years. Fans will have to sit tight as they wait for new updates or hope for confirmation that The Last of Us Part 3 is officially in the works.
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