The gaming community will certainly remember this current phase as one where Sony aggressively pursues a push into the live service market. This strategic shift saw several of Sony’s prestigious first-party developers, including Naughty Dog, joining the movement with The Last of Us Online. Despite years of development, the ambitious title was ultimately cancelled before release, resulting in the departure of several key creative figures, including its game director.
One of those figures is Vinit Agarwal, a veteran who spent over a decade at Naughty Dog and was appointed to lead the now-shelved The Last of Us Online. Agarwal officially parted ways with the studio in January 2025.
Now, only months later, Agarwal has resurfaced with a surprising announcement: he is launching a new, yet-to-be-named game studio based in Japan. While specific details regarding the studio’s vision and first project remain under wraps, Agarwal has made it clear that his passion for multiplayer gaming will continue to shape his future endeavours.
What’s Next for Vinit Agarwal?
He emphasised that multiplayer design remains his core strength and creative focus, and his new studio will continue to pursue innovative experiences in that space. Although he refrained from sharing concrete information about the studio’s debut title, he promised that more updates would be revealed in the near future.
Given his impressive resume at Naughty Dog and hands-on leadership in one of the company’s most high-profile (albeit cancelled) projects, the industry will be watching closely to see what Agarwal and his team develop next after The Last of Us Online. With Japan’s vibrant development scene and growing support for international studios, his move also reflects a strategic choice to tap into a rich ecosystem of talent and creativity.
Agarwal’s new venture stands as a bold and intriguing chapter in the ongoing evolution of multiplayer gaming, and hopefully this time around, it actually becomes a playable experience for those looking forward to it.
