The long-rumored The Last of Us Online may be gone for good at Naughty Dog, but its former game director, Vinit Agarwal, isn’t done chasing the dream of a cinematic multiplayer experience. 
Speaking in a recent interview with Game*Spark, Agarwal revealed that his departure from Naughty Dog after more than a decade was partly driven by his belief in blending the studio’s signature cinematic action with the dynamic nature of multiplayer gameplay.
Fans of the franchise had high hopes for The Last of Us Online, especially those still enjoying the beloved Factions mode from the original 2013 release. But Naughty Dog decided against pursuing a multiplayer-focused direction, ultimately canceling the project after years of work. This left not only players disappointed but also the developers who had poured their creativity into it – including Agarwal himself.
During his tenure, Agarwal contributed to major titles like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, and The Last of Us Part II, working on both single-player and multiplayer elements. He was heavily involved in crafting boss battles designed to feel like duels with a human opponent, drawing on his multiplayer expertise to make encounters – like the Nathan Drake finale in A Thief’s End and Ellie’s brutal clash with Abby – feel personal and unpredictable.
Now, Agarwal is teaming up with fellow Naughty Dog alumnus Joe Pettinati to launch a new international studio, with Agarwal based in Japan and Pettinati leading the US branch. The studio’s name remains under wraps, but their debut title is already in early development. Described as a “triple-indie” project, it aims to merge cinematic storytelling with multiplayer intensity, steering clear of any Sony-owned IP while potentially offering the kind of experience Factions fans always wanted.
While details are scarce, Agarwal confirmed they’ve begun talks with partners and will reveal more in the future. For now, this mystery game stands as a beacon for those hoping to see narrative-driven multiplayer rise again – even if it’s no longer under the Naughty Dog banner.