A Naughty Dog job listing reveals TheLastofUsPart2's standalone multiplayer will include microtransactions, hinting it could be free-to-play.
A Naughty Dog job listing has revealed that its multiplayer component for The Last of Us Part 2 will include microtransactions and an in-game store, potentially hinting the game will be free-to-play. The developer that brought fans both The Last of Us and Uncharted has been working on the multiplayer element for TLOU2 for some time, having previously revealed it to be a standalone title. So far, details have been kept under wraps.
The Last of Us series is one of PlayStation's most successful IPs to date, with The Last of Us Part 2 currently holding the title of the most awarded game in history. Fans have become so immersed in Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic world that many feel a genuine connection with the lives of its heroes. This was never more apparent than when it was revealed that Naughty Dog would be killing off one such hero during TLOU2’s opening scenes.
Naughty Dog is yet to reveal a release date, or even a release window, for its multiplayer component of The Last of Us Part 2. However, the studio did reveal an update on its status in September 2021. Here, the developer assured fans that it understood their eagerness to see TLOU2’s multiplayer game realized, and that it would be revealed as soon as it was ready.
How exactly microtransactions in TLOU2's multiplayer will work remains to be seen. It's not clear if the standalone game is aiming to target a free-to-play model, meaning it will rely solely on microtransactions. Many had previously assumed the game would be a paid expansion, which, if true, makes the confirmation of microtransactions and an in-game store potentially divisive. With 2022 now in full swing, it's hoped Naughty Dog will reveal more on the game and its model soon.