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 the final season, with servers shutting down this May, just a year after its relaunch. Offline access to purchased and earned content will remain available through local and training modes. While in-game purchases are discontinued, players can still utilize Gleamium and character tokens until May 30th, after which the game will be delisted from all 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 situation and prioritizing team support. He highlighted the team's dedication, creativity, and response to player feedback, while also explaining the complex factors influencing character selection. He emphasized the collaborative nature of Player First Games and the team's commitment to delivering value to players.

Critically, Huynh strongly condemned the threats of harm, stating that while players are entitled to their opinions, threats cross a line and are unacceptable given the team's emotional distress over the game's closure. He urged players to show empathy and understanding.

Angelo Rodriguez Jr., community manager and developer, echoed Huynh's sentiments, defending him against the personal attacks and highlighting his dedication to the community and the game's development. He emphasized the team's continued efforts to improve the game, even in its final season.

MultiVersus' failure represents another significant setback for Warner Bros. Games, following the poor launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League last year. These two titles, according to Warner Bros. Discovery, contributed to a combined $300 million loss. The company's third-quarter 2024 release, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, also failed to gain traction.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the underperformance of the 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 concentrating development efforts on proven studios to improve the success rate of future releases. While Mortal Kombat 1's financial performance remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and teased future DLC.