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 stores.
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 Steam reviews. Many players possess unused character tokens, having already unlocked all characters.
Huynh's statement acknowledged the disappointment but expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development teams, IP holders, and players. He highlighted the team's dedication and creativity, apologized for delayed communication, and thanked players for their support and contributions. He explained the complexities of character selection, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the development process and the constraints of time and resources.
Crucially, Huynh condemned the threats of harm, stating that while players are entitled to their opinions, threats cross a line and are deeply upsetting to the team. He urged players to show empathy during this difficult time.
Angelo Rodriguez Jr., a community manager and developer, echoed Huynh's sentiments, defending him against the personal attacks and highlighting his dedication and commitment to the community. He emphasized that the threats of violence are unacceptable.
MultiVersus' failure adds to Warner Bros. Games' recent struggles, following the poor reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the underwhelming performance of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Warner Bros. Discovery reported significant financial losses attributed to these game releases.
In response, Warner Bros. Discovery is refocusing its game development efforts 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. The company aims to improve its success rate by concentrating on established franchises and proven studios. While Mortal Kombat 1 has sold over five million copies, its overall financial performance remains uncertain.
