When a studio cancels a promised feature, the community sometimes builds it themselves. A modder named Speclizer has spent months reconstructing the multiplayer experience that Naughty Dog quietly abandoned in 2023, releasing footage of a working player-versus-player mod for The Last of Us Part 2 ahead of a September launch on PC. His effort arrives at a peculiar threshold: Sony is closing the door on PC ports of its single-player titles, making this unofficial creation one of the last opportunities for PC players to inhabit this world alongside others. It is a small act of preservation agains
Polygon
· Jun 22, 2026
· technology
· 1 min read
High
Sourcing: Verified
Fan-Made Last of Us Part 2 Multiplayer Mod Launching This September
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Bias & Framing
⚖
Article presents fan-made multiplayer mod as positive development with neutral, informative framing and minimal bias signals.
Bias Direction
center
Confidence
MED
Straightforward news reporting with contextual background. The mod is framed as a positive solution ('lessen that blow') to fan disappointment, but this characterization is presented as factual rather than editorialized.
lessen that blow - mildly positive framing of the mod as a remedy
lucky - characterizes PC players favorably regarding platform exclusivity
Naughty Dog's official stance on fan-made mods and whether they endorse or discourage this project
Potential legal/copyright concerns regarding mod distribution
PlayStation/console player perspective on exclusivity decision
Broader industry context on why multiplayer was cancelled
Geopolitical Impact
🌎
This article concerns a video game mod and has no geopolitical implications.
Escalation Risk
N/A
Confidence
HIGH
Economic Lens
📈
Fan-made multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part 2 launching September represents niche gaming content creation with minimal direct economic impact on major publishers or markets.
Market Signal
neutral
Confidence
LOW
Video game development
PC gaming
Modding communities
Entertainment software
PC gamers gain free access to previously unavailable multiplayer content, increasing engagement with existing game library. No direct consumer spending required, though may extend game lifecycle and player retention for PlayStation Studios' PC ports.
Highlights ongoing tension between IP holders and modding communities. May influence Sony's future decisions on PC port strategy and mod support policies. Could prompt discussion around fair use, derivative works, and community-driven content development in gaming industry.