MultiVersus Dev Mourns Shutdown, Cites Threats

The game director of MultiVersus, Tony Huynh, has publicly condemned the threats of violence directed at the development team following the announcement of the game's closure. Last week, Player First Games revealed that Season 5 would be MultiVersus' final season, with servers shutting down this May, just a year after its relaunch. Offline access to purchased and earned content will remain via local and training modes.

While in-game purchases are discontinued, players can still utilize Gleamium and character tokens until support ends on May 30th. The game will also be removed from major digital storefronts.

The announcement, coupled with the absence of a refund policy, sparked outrage among players, particularly those who purchased the $100 Founder's Pack, leading to accusations of being "scammed" and a wave of negative reviews on Steam.

Huynh's statement addressed player concerns and strongly denounced the threats: He expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development teams, IP holders, and players. He apologized for a delayed response, citing the demanding situation and his focus on the team. He highlighted fan contributions and acknowledged the complexities of character selection, explaining the various factors involved, including development time, community feedback, IP approvals, marketing opportunities, and team inspiration. He used the example of BananaGuard's creation, emphasizing the team's internal enthusiasm as the driving force. He clarified his limited authority within the collaborative team structure. He acknowledged the team's efforts to listen to and address player concerns, while acknowledging limitations in time and resources. He pleaded for understanding and empathy, emphasizing the emotional toll the game's closure has taken on the team.

Player First Games' community manager, Angelo Rodriguez Jr., corroborated Huynh's statement, defending him against the threats and highlighting his dedication and commitment to the players and the project.

MultiVersus' failure adds to Warner Bros. Games' recent struggles, following the poor reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Warner Bros. Discovery reported significant financial losses attributed to both games, totaling $300 million. The company's third-quarter 2024 release, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, also underperformed.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the underperformance of their games division and announced a renewed focus on four key franchises: Hogwarts Legacy (with a sequel in development), Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman. Recent releases include Batman: Arkham Shadow (VR) and an upcoming Wonder Woman game. Zaslav emphasized a strategic shift towards proven studios and core franchises to improve success rates. While Mortal Kombat 1's financial performance remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and hinted at future DLC.