Vinit Agarwal announces his next game: a triple-indie multiplayer

Many gamers are still mourning the cancellation of The Last of Us: Online , a decision by Naughty Dog to protect its single-player projects . However, Vinit Agarwal, director of the canceled project, is already looking to the future. After his experience in Uncharted 4: Thief's End , The Lost Legacy and The Last of Us: Part 2 , Agarwal has moved to Japan and founded a new studio alongside Joe Pettinati, former narrative head at Naughty Dog, to develop an ambitious indie triple-player multiplayer .

The concept promises a unique hybrid: the essence of indie games combined with the cinematic storytelling and worldbuilding characteristic of AAA titles. This project, being developed in Unreal Engine 5 , already has its first internal playtests planned, and expectations are growing among the gaming community.

Why Japan? Agarwal explained that he's always been inspired by the Japanese industry, where game directors have creative freedom and a strong authorial focus. A conversation with Hidetaka Miyazaki , creator of Dark Souls , Bloodborne , and Elden Ring , reinforced his view: a game driven by the author's creativity can deliver deeper, more memorable experiences.

This philosophy will guide the development of the new multiplayer, prioritizing story, world coherence, and the emotional connection players have with their characters.

Agarwal describes his concept as triple-indie , a term that reflects the combination of three elements:

1. The creative freedom and experimentation of indies .
2. Naughty Dog 's narrative and cinematic quality.
3. The multiplayer experience that attracts global audiences.

The team aims to bring the feel of AAA titles to the multiplayer arena, without losing the freshness and originality of independent titles. Fans expect this blend to generate innovative gameplay, engaging mechanics, and an immersive narrative.

Agarwal's new studio promises a creative environment similar to the one he experienced at Naughty Dog: freedom to express ideas, a focus on storytelling , and close collaboration between designers, artists, and programmers. This culture seeks to attract global talent and make a significant impact on the industry.

Although the name of the studio and the game's release date are still unknown, the gaming community remains attentive to developments. Agarwal and Pettinati plan to maintain a balance between innovation and quality, focusing on multiplayer experiences that surprise and excite.

The combination of cinematic storytelling, indie design, and robust worldbuilding could redefine multiplayer gaming in the coming years.

Vinit Agarwal's new project marks a bold step in the industry: an indie triple- team multiplayer that fuses the best of independent and AAA games. Inspired by Japanese culture and Miyazaki's creative philosophy, it promises an innovative experience that will appeal to both Naughty Dog fans and new players.