MultiVersus, the highly popular free-to-play brawler game, is set to end its operations following the announcement of Season 5 as its last. Tony Huynh, the game director and co-founder of Player First Games, expressed his deep sorrow over the shutdown, urging fans not to take their frustrations out on the development team.
The announcement came as a shock to the gaming community, particularly since MultiVersus had demonstrated strong initial engagement when it launched, resulting in considerable anticipation for future updates. Unfortunately, the game's engagement quickly plummeted, costing Warner Bros. over $100 million by late 2024. This decline led to the difficult decision by Player First Games to pull the plug on the game as engagement dwindled.
Huynh took to social media to share his sentiments on the shutdown, stating, "I am in deep mourning for the game. Nobody wanted this outcome and it wasn't from lack of caring or effort." His message highlighted not only the heartbreaking nature of the shutdown but also the passion and hard work invested by his team. He expressed his acknowledgment of the community's frustration and sorrow over the announcement.
Despite the director's heartfelt response, backlash ensued, with some players feeling “scammed” after investing money, particularly those who purchased the $100 Founder's Pack. Some disgruntled fans directed their anger toward the team's social media channels, issuing threats against Huynh and the developers. Huynh addressed this concerning behavior directly, stating, "You're entitled to what you say and think, but when there are threats to harm it's crossing the line. I hope you can take a step back and realize this is an extremely sad time for the team." His call for civility was echoed by Angelo Rodriguez Jr., the community manager at Player First Games, who firmly stated, "Receiving threats of physical harm against him is not and will never be the way."
Part of the intense backlash can be traced back to the failure of MultiVersus to sustain its momentum after its initial debut. Following its beta phase rollout from July 2022, which lasted until June 2023, the game immediately fell short of expectations upon its full release, with many players quickly abandoning it. With players now unable to utilize their in-game currency and the game being delisted from various digital storefronts, the sentiment of betrayal was palpable among the community.
Huynh's posts served to remind the community of the collaborative efforts behind the game. He sought to assure players of the passion and creativity his team put forth, saying, "Delighting and serving players is Player First Games' objective." His reference to the dedication of his colleagues highlighted the myriad of challenges they dealt with, citing factors such as development time, character approvals, and collaborative input. This comprehensive insight underscored the complexity involved in the game's creation.
Despite the negative feedback and threats, Tony remains grateful for the opportunities provided to his team and expressed his appreciation for the support the community demonstrated during its run. "We hope we made the characters true to themselves and felt authentic to your fans," Huynh reflected, stemming from the collaborative input they received during the game’s development.
The premature end to MultiVersus is emblematic of larger systemic issues faced by Warner Bros. Games, including the fallout from other unsuccessful titles and organizational changes. The departure of Warner Bros. Games boss David Haddid earlier this year was one such indicator of struggles faced internally. The severity of losses resulting from both MultiVersus and the troubled launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League prompted the higher-ups at Warner Bros. Discovery to reassess their gaming division's future, signaling uncertain times for both the studio and the fans.
Looking forward, Player First Games plans to focus on resolving the operational challenges faced during this project. The team, fueled by their commitment to gaming and community engagement, hopes to take lessons learned from MultiVersus to make future endeavors successful. There remains some uncertainty about the future, as Huynh noted, but he has expressed hopefulness for the community, saying, "I sincerely hope Season 5 is enjoyed with the time we have left and I hope you will all continue supporting other platform fighters and fighting games as these games have impacted me positively." His remarks resonate with passionate gamers everywhere, reminding everyone of the shared experiences and friendships forged through gaming.
Finally, as the gaming world processes this significant shift, both Huynh and Rodriguez have encouraged the community to reflect on the team’s dedication and the creative energies of Player First Games. For now, as players gear up for the final season, the focus turns toward making the most of the memories crafted within MultiVersus, even as its servers prepare to go dark at the end of May 2025.