MultiVersus Dev Mourns Game, Condemns Threats After Shutdown

The game director of MultiVersus, Tony Huynh, has publicly addressed the disturbing "threats to harm" developers following the announcement that the game will shut down in May. This decision comes after Player First Games revealed that Season 5 would be the final chapter for the Warner Bros. brawler, which relaunched just a year ago. Despite the shutdown, players can continue to enjoy their earned and purchased content through offline modes such as local gameplay and training.

With real-money transactions halted, fans can still utilize Gleamium and character tokens until the support ends on May 30. At that point, MultiVersus will be removed from the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store. The lack of a refund policy has led to significant backlash from players, especially those who purchased the $100 premium Founder's Pack, feeling "scammed" and leaving the game susceptible to review bombing on Steam.

In a heartfelt statement on Twitter, Huynh expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development teams, and the players, emphasizing the pride and passion invested in the game. He acknowledged the sadness surrounding the game's end and apologized for not addressing concerns sooner. Huynh also highlighted the community's contributions, such as fan art and character ideas, which were a daily joy for the team.

Addressing the development process, Huynh explained the complexities involved in character selection, including development time, community feedback, IP holder approvals, and cross-marketing opportunities. He shared an anecdote about the creation of BananaGuard, a character born from the team's enthusiasm and weekend dedication. He stressed that while he doesn't have unilateral power over decisions, Player First Games operates as a highly collaborative team focused on delivering value to players.

Huynh condemned the threats of harm directed at the team, calling them a line that should never be crossed, and urged the community to remember the human aspect of game development. He expressed hope that players would enjoy the final season and continue supporting other platform fighters and fighting games, reflecting on the positive impact these games have had on his life and the memories created through MultiVersus.

Community manager and game developer Angelo Rodriguez Jr. also spoke out in defense of Huynh, emphasizing the developer's dedication and the inappropriate nature of the threats received. Rodriguez highlighted Huynh's engagement with the community and his efforts to improve the game, underscoring the team's commitment despite the challenging circumstances.

MultiVersus' shutdown marks another setback for Warner Bros. Games, following the troubled launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. The financial strain is evident, with Warner Bros. Discovery reporting a $200 million loss from Suicide Squad and an additional $100 million from MultiVersus. The only new release in the third quarter of 2024, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, also failed to make a significant impact.

Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the underperformance of the games division, signaling a strategic shift to focus on core franchises like Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman. Despite these challenges, Warner Bros. continues to explore new projects, including a VR game, Batman: Arkham Shadow, and a Wonder Woman game in development at Monolith Productions.