MultiVersus Dev Calls Out ‘Threats to Harm’ Following Shutdown Announcement: ‘I Am in Deep Mourning for the Game’

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, Gleamium and character tokens remain usable until May 30th, after which MultiVersus will 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 disappointment but expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development team, IP holders, and players. He apologized for the delayed response, citing the demanding circumstances and the team's well-being as priorities. He highlighted the team's creativity and passion, thanking players for their support and contributions. He addressed concerns about character selection, explaining the multifaceted process involving development time, community feedback, IP approvals, marketing opportunities, and team inspiration. He used the example of BananaGuard, a character developed organically from team enthusiasm, to illustrate this point. He emphasized the collaborative nature of Player First Games and their commitment to player value.

Huynh also appealed for understanding, acknowledging the team's limitations and expressing deep sadness over the game's closure. He strongly condemned the threats of harm, urging players to show empathy for the team's difficult situation. He encouraged continued support for the platform fighter genre.

Angelo Rodriguez Jr., community manager and developer, echoed Huynh's sentiments, defending him against the personal attacks and highlighting his dedication to the game and the community.

MultiVersus' closure adds to Warner Bros. Games' recent setbacks, following the poorly received launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League last year. Warner Bros. Discovery reported that these two games contributed to a combined $300 million loss. Their only other Q3 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 core franchises: Hogwarts Legacy (with a sequel in development), Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman. Recent releases include the VR title Batman: Arkham Shadow and an upcoming Wonder Woman game. Zaslav emphasized a strategy of focusing development on proven franchises and studios to improve success rates. While Mortal Kombat 1's financial performance remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and teased future DLC.