The game director of MultiVersus, Tony Huynh, has publicly denounced the threats of violence received by 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 delisted 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 acknowledged the team's sadness but expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, fellow developers, IP holders, and players. He apologized for a delayed response, citing the team's focus on the game and its members. He highlighted the team's dedication and creativity, thanking players for their support and contributions. He explained the complexities of character selection, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the development process and the factors influencing character creation.
Huynh strongly condemned the threats of harm, emphasizing that while players are entitled to their opinions, threats cross a line and are particularly hurtful during this difficult time for the team. He expressed his hope that players would continue supporting the platform fighter genre.
Angelo Rodriguez Jr., a community manager and developer, defended Huynh, highlighting his dedication and commitment to the community. He pleaded for players to refrain from violence and threats, emphasizing the team's hard work and dedication to Season 5.
MultiVersus' failure adds to Warner Bros. Games' recent struggles, following the disappointing launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Warner Bros. Discovery reported a significant financial impact from 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 core 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 a planned Wonder Woman game. Zaslav stated that the company is concentrating development efforts on these established franchises with proven studios to improve the success rate. While Mortal Kombat 1's financial performance remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and hinted at future DLC.
