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, 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 and now possess unusable character tokens. This backlash has predictably resulted in negative reviews flooding Steam.

Huynh's statement acknowledged the disappointment but expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development teams, IP holders, and players. He emphasized the team's dedication and creativity, apologized for delayed communication, and thanked players for their support and contributions. He addressed concerns about character selection, explaining the multifaceted process involving development time, community feedback, IP approvals, and marketing opportunities. He also highlighted the collaborative nature of Player First Games and the team's efforts to listen to and act on player feedback.

Crucially, Huynh condemned the threats of harm against the team, stating that while players are entitled to their opinions, threats cross a line and are unacceptable, especially during this difficult time for the developers.

Angelo Rodriguez Jr., community manager and game developer, echoed Huynh's sentiments, defending him against the attacks and highlighting his dedication and efforts to engage with the community. He urged players to consider the situation and read Huynh's statement.

MultiVersus' closure represents another significant setback for Warner Bros. Games, following the poor reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Warner Bros. Discovery reported that these two titles 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. This strategy includes focusing development on proven 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.

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