Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – Fans of The Last of Us have been waiting years for proper multiplayer to return. After Naughty Dog scrapped its official The Last of Us Online project in late 2023, it looked like that dream was dead. But a dedicated modder is trying to change that.
Modder Speclizer has been working on a fan-made multiplayer mod for the PC version of The Last of Us Part II. In mid-June 2026, he dropped a 25-minute gameplay video showing 1v1 fights, custom maps, and campaign locations turned into PvP arenas. The mod has a planned release window of September 2026.
It’s still rough around the edges, frame drops and bugs are visible, but the progress since development started in January has impressed a lot of people.
The big question everyone is asking: is this even legal?
Like most big game mods that overhaul core gameplay, this one sits in a legal gray area. The mod uses assets, code, and files straight from the original game, which belongs to Sony and Naughty Dog. Under U.S. copyright law, creating and distributing something like this can be seen as making a “derivative work” without permission.
“Any modification that reuses or changes this content could be considered a derivative work under U.S. copyright law,” explained legal experts in discussing copyright concerns in game mods.
Speclizer itself is aware of this risk. The community frequently raises concerns about cease-and-desist or DMCA takedowns from Sony. A Wccftech report states:
“Sony and Naughty Dog could conceivably issue a DMCA takedown if it is ever released to the public.”
Sony has a track record of protecting its properties aggressively. That said, modding for personal use is often tolerated. Courts have sometimes sided with transformative, non-commercial mods in the past. But when a mod gets this ambitious and starts being shared widely, especially with online multiplayer features the legal risks go up.
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Community Reaction
Players are excited but cautious. In YouTube comments under Speclizer’s videos, one person summed it up well:
“I just hope Naughty Dog doesn’t pull a cease against this when it actually releases.”
So far, there’s been no official word from Sony or Naughty Dog about the project. The mod is being developed openly, with early access available through the creator’s Patreon.
This mod won’t replace the canceled official project, but it’s a creative attempt by the community to fill the gap. Whether it actually launches in September, and survives any potential legal heat, remains to be seen.
*(Sources: IGN, Speclizer’s official YouTube channel, Naughty Dog’s 2023 statement, Coffylaw, Wccftech, ResetEra and Reddit)
