Uncharted 2 multiplayer, beta confirmed

Today, Sony Computer Entertainment pulled the trigger on its teased announcement pertaining to Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, announcing that the story-heavy action adventure will indeed feature a competitive and cooperative multiplayer component. And, as rumored last week, PlayStation 3 gamers can enter the beta-testing phase for Uncharted 2's online modes by picking up Sucker Punch's Infamous on May 26.

Uncharted 2's co-op element allows up to three players to run through a number of levels from the game's single-player game together. Not all story mode levels will be available for co-op, with Naughty Dog telling GameSpot in a brand-new preview that the single-player stages on offer have been specifically chosen and slightly tweaked to accommodate multiple players as well as capitalize on both cover-based combat and platforming elements.

Thus far, Sony and Naughty Dog have offered looks at two competitive multiplayer mode varieties: Deathmatch and Plunder. The first stays true to the traditional kill-or-be-killed variant, while the latter plays out in a fashion similar to capture the flag. As with co-op, competitive multiplayer will feature levels from the single-player game that have been altered and rebalanced.

As for the multiplayer beta program, gamers who purchase "one of the first copies" of Infamous when it launches for the PS3 on May 26 will receive an access key for the advanced look at Uncharted 2. The beta will begin on June 3 and run through June 28.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is expected to arrive for the PS3 this fall. For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Uncharted 2.