Introduction
The Last of Us Part II Remastered is finally getting the multiplayer experience fans have wanted for years—but not from Naughty Dog. Instead, modder Speclizer and a growing development team are bringing back the spirit of the original Factions with an ambitious fan-made PvP mod for the PC version of the game.
- Introduction
- A spiritual successor to Factions
- Matchmaking now works automatically
- Full 4v4 matches are now playable
- Custom loadouts and classic Factions perks
- Core gameplay feels surprisingly authentic
- Five maps are already available
- Public release is coming in September
- Where to follow the project
- YouTube
- X (Twitter)
- Discord
- Patreon
- An unofficial project with growing momentum
- FAQs
- Is this an official Naughty Dog multiplayer mode?
- When does the multiplayer mod release?
- How many players does it support?
- Can I play it right now?
- Will the mod include co-op?
- Excerpt
The project has evolved far beyond a simple proof of concept. What started as experiments with spawning multiple player characters has become a fully playable online mode featuring matchmaking, custom loadouts, team-based gameplay, and support for full 4v4 matches. The first public release is now targeting September 2026.
A spiritual successor to Factions
Rather than recreating Naughty Dog’s canceled The Last of Us Online, Speclizer’s goal is to capture what made the original Factions mode from the first game so memorable.
The multiplayer experience is built exclusively for the PC version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered, which launched on Steam in 2025. Development began in early 2026 and has since expanded into a collaborative effort with developers Vontadeh and deepqntm, helping accelerate progress on networking, gameplay systems, and custom interface work.
One of the most impressive aspects is the custom user interface, which uses Naughty Dog’s own widget system instead of relying on basic external menus.
Matchmaking now works automatically
The biggest breakthrough in the latest development update is fully implemented public matchmaking.
Players simply open the custom multiplayer menu, start searching for a game, and the system automatically finds other players—eliminating the manual network setup that many PC mods require.
Early-access builds featuring this matchmaking system are already available to Patreon supporters, making this one of the most complete multiplayer mods currently in development.
Full 4v4 matches are now playable
Earlier builds were limited to small test matches, but the project now supports up to eight players in 4v4 matches.
More importantly, complete multiplayer sessions now function from beginning to end.
The current gameplay flow includes:
- Main menu
- Matchmaking
- Full multiplayer match
- Scoreboard
- Return to lobby
That complete match cycle makes the experience feel much closer to an official multiplayer mode.
Custom loadouts and classic Factions perks
Loadout customization is another major feature.
Before entering a match, players can choose:
- A primary weapon
- A secondary weapon
- A purchasable weapon
Each player can also equip up to three skills or perks, bringing back many familiar abilities from Factions while introducing several new mechanics.
Some confirmed skills include:
- First Aid Training
- Agility
- Hawkeye
- Headshot health restoration
- Faster medkit usage
Hawkeye even recreates team-specific voice interactions by marking enemies and triggering appropriate dialogue.
During matches, players can also open a custom backpack purchase menu to buy ammunition and weapons. Crafting systems and throwable items are planned for future updates.
Core gameplay feels surprisingly authentic
The mod already includes many of the mechanics that defined the original multiplayer experience.
Current gameplay features include:
- WLF versus Seraphites team battles
- Lives-based match rules
- Respawns
- Health-kit pickups
- Healing mechanics
- Ammo drops after kills
- Broadcast voice lines
- Limited Listen Mode
- Basic leaderboards
- Custom pause menu
One particularly clever addition is Listen Mode, which has been recreated by repurposing the game’s swim and oxygen meter system, giving players a mechanic that closely resembles the original Factions implementation.
Speclizer has also improved animation synchronization using techniques inspired by Naughty Dog’s multiplayer work on both Factions and Uncharted 4.
Five maps are already available
The current build includes five playable maps:
- School
- Seraphite Camp (also known as Seraphite Forest)
- Resort
- Gas Station
- Houses
More locations are already planned as development continues.
Public release is coming in September
The first public version of the multiplayer mod is scheduled for September 2026, although an exact release date hasn’t been announced.
Players should expect some bugs and crashes, as the project remains a work in progress.
Once the competitive PvP foundation is complete, Speclizer plans to shift focus toward co-op gameplay, making multiplayer expansion the next major milestone after launch.
Where to follow the project
If you want to keep up with development or try early-access builds, these are Speclizer’s official channels.
YouTube
Channel: youtube.com/@Speclizer
Notable videos include:
- We’re getting closer | Adding Multiplayer to The Last of Us Part II (August 22, 2026)
- 25-minute gameplay showcase
- 2v2 Gas Station and Houses gameplay
- The complete “Adding Multiplayer” development diary series
X (Twitter)
x.com/Speclizer_
Discord
discord.gg/qMqYt6vbyg
Patreon
patreon.com/speclizer
Patreon currently provides access to early multiplayer test builds featuring public matchmaking.
An unofficial project with growing momentum
While this remains an unofficial fan project, it’s become one of the most ambitious multiplayer mods built for a PlayStation PC release. The combination of automatic matchmaking, authentic Factions-style gameplay, and steady development updates has made it one of the most anticipated community projects surrounding The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
As with any large fan-made mod, there’s always a theoretical possibility of publisher intervention. For now, however, development continues openly, and the September public release is closer than ever.
FAQs
Is this an official Naughty Dog multiplayer mode?
No. It’s an unofficial fan-made PvP mod created by Speclizer and collaborators for the PC version of The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
When does the multiplayer mod release?
The first public version is planned for September 2026, but no exact release date has been announced.
How many players does it support?
The current build supports up to 8 players in 4v4 matches.
Can I play it right now?
Yes, early-access test builds with public matchmaking are currently available through Speclizer’s Patreon.
Will the mod include co-op?
Yes, co-op is planned after the public PvP release once the competitive systems are fully established.
