The Last of Us 2is one of PlayStation’s most successful first-party exclusives of the PS4 generation.The Last of Usfranchise has never been as popular as it is now. With an HBO television adaptation in production andThe Last of Us Remakereportedly in development,The Last of Usfans have a lot to potentially look forward to.
There’s alsoThe Last of Us 2’s standalone multiplayer mode, Factions, currently in development at Naughty Dog. While details onThe Last of Us 2multiplayer remains scarce, random teases and job listings paint a picture of a more ambitious and large-scale project that should appeal to not just the fans of the Factions mode from the first game, but also to the broader PlayStation community. It could even act the same way asHalo Infinite’s upcoming free-to-play multiplayer mode will for the Xbox community.
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The Last of Us 2 Factions Could Be Like Halo Infinite’s Multiplayer for PlayStation
It’s no surprise that the PlayStation brand lacks AAA first-party multiplayer titles. The Factions mode inThe Last of Uswas a welcome addition for its time. Similarly, the addition of Legends mode inGhost of Tsushimawas a change of pace for those wanting to take a break from exploring the game’s lush open-world. However, the multiplayer game modes in PlayStation’s first-party portfolio currently do not have the longevity of Xbox’s multiplayer-centric franchises likeHalo,Gears, orSea of Thieves.The Last of Us 2Factionsstands a chance to be that game for PlayStation if done right.
Halo’s multiplayer has always been popular, and will likely be even more so with the launch ofHalo Infinite’s free-to-play multiplayer this holiday season.Halo Infinite’s technical previewsset a solid first impression that fuels the expectations surrounding it. On top of that,Halo Infinite’s multiplayer will launch for free on five different platforms with cross-play enabled. It wouldn’t be surprising ifHalo Infinitemultiplayer becomes incredibly successful, which in-turn could bring Microsoft consistent revenue through microtransactions.
While PlayStation’s single-player first-party exclusives sell incredibly well, the company could benefit from expanding its first-party portfolio into free-to-play and live-service games. While there are rumors aboutSony Santa Monica studio working onLegendz, a multiplayer sci-fi game, it’sThe Last of Us 2Factions that could quickly establish the biggest audience.
For starters,The Last of Us 2Factions will more likely have a free-to-play business model compared toLegendzorJade Raymond’s PS5 exclusive live-service title. Factions could work incredibly well as a free-to-play title, given the soaring popularity ofThe Last of Usfranchise and Naughty Dog’s expertise with PvP modes. Furthermore,The Last of Us 2-style gameplay, post-apocalyptic playgrounds, a rumored battle royale mode, and overall first-party production value would work wonders for a standalone free-to-play multiplayer title, which is exactly what PlayStation currently lacks.
Given PlayStation’s recent strategy ofbringing PS4 exclusives to PC, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched ifThe Last of Us 2Factions were to release on PC alongside PS4 and PS5. It would give that game exactly the boostHalo Infinite’s free-to-play multiplayer should have this holiday season when it ships on multiple platforms.
Naughty Dog is taking its time withThe Last of Us 2Factions, and rightly so if it wants it to be a successful project in the long-term. The chances ofThe Last of Us 3happening are pretty high, especially sinceNaughty Dog has finished outlining the plot, andThe Last of Us 2Factions seems like a perfect appetizer to keep fans engaged until that time comes. More importantly,The Last of Us 2Factions stands a chance to be the multiplayer title that could rivalHalo Infinite’s multiplayer in terms of scope, and eventual revenue that the PlayStation brand could greatly benefit from.
The Last of Us 2Factions is currently in development.
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