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 the 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 halted, Gleamium and character tokens can still be used until May 30th, after which the game will be delisted from major digital stores.
The announcement, coupled with the absence of a refund policy, sparked outrage among players, particularly those who purchased the $100 Founder's Pack, with many expressing feelings of being "scammed." The situation has led to negative reviews flooding Steam.
Huynh's statement addressed player concerns and strongly denounced the threats: He expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development team, IP holders, and players. He acknowledged the team's dedication and creativity, apologized for delayed responses, and thanked fans for their support and contributions. He explained the complexities of character selection, highlighting factors such as development time, community feedback, IP approvals, marketing opportunities, and team inspiration. He clarified that the addition of BananaGuard, for example, was due to team enthusiasm and didn't detract from other characters. He emphasized the collaborative nature of Player First Games and their commitment to listening to player feedback, while acknowledging limitations in time and resources. He concluded by pleading for understanding and empathy, highlighting the emotional toll the game's closure has taken on the team.
Angelo Rodriguez Jr., community manager and developer, echoed Huynh's sentiments, defending him against the threats and highlighting his dedication and commitment to the community.
MultiVersus' failure adds to Warner Bros. Games' recent struggles, following the disappointing launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League last year. Warner Bros. Discovery reported a $200 million loss attributed to Suicide Squad and a further $100 million loss due to MultiVersus. 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 the VR title Batman: Arkham Shadow and an upcoming Wonder Woman game. Zaslav emphasized a strategic shift towards proven studios and core franchises to improve the success rate of future game releases. While Mortal Kombat 1's financial performance remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and teased future DLC.
