MultiVersus Fans Celebrate Season 5 Updates Before Shutdown, #SaveMultiVersus Trends

The Warner Bros. platform fighting game MultiVersus is set to shut down at the end of Season 5 in May, yet a recent update has dramatically transformed the gameplay, sparking a surge of excitement among fans and igniting a #SaveMultiVersus movement on social media. The community eagerly anticipated the launch of the fifth and final season on February 4 at 9am PT, expecting a somber farewell. However, developer Player First Games surprised everyone with a significant update that not only introduced DC's Aquaman and Looney Toons' Lola Bunny as the last playable characters but also implemented sweeping changes to combat speed that players had been requesting for years.

The buzz around these changes began when Player First released a Season 5 Combat Changes Preview video on X/Twitter, showcasing a noticeable increase in combat speed. This update marks a stark departure from the slower, "floaty" gameplay that was critiqued during the MultiVersus beta test in 2022 and even surpasses the speed seen at the game's relaunch in May of the previous year. The patch notes for Season 5 reveal that the enhanced speed is due to a reduction in hitpause "across most attacks in the game," allowing for quicker combo execution. Specific characters like Morty, LeBron, Iron Giant, Bugs Bunny, Black Adam, and others have received additional speed adjustments, enhancing their fast fall capabilities during aerial attacks. Garnet, on the other hand, now has a balanced ringout potential, strengthening her impact on the ground while weakening it in the air.

Despite the positive reception to these changes, the reality remains that MultiVersus will cease operations on May 30, marking the end of seasonal content and its removal from digital storefronts. Warner Bros. Games plans to disable online play entirely, leaving only offline modes available. This news has left the community feeling both shocked and powerless, as the game finally achieves the quality and speed they had long desired, only to face imminent shutdown.

Social media platforms are abuzz with reactions, with users like @PJiggles_ describing MultiVersus as "the most interesting bad game in existence," reflecting on its journey from beta to relaunch and now to its sudden improvement. Professional player Jason Zimmerman (Mew2King) questioned the timing of the movement speed increase, lamenting that such changes could have revitalized the game had they been implemented earlier. A Reddit user expressed frustration, noting that if the game had started with these improvements, it could have had a more successful run, similar to games like Apex Legends which succeeded due to strong fundamentals from the outset.

Despite the looming shutdown, fans are finding solace and joy in the game's final moments. Reddit user Desperate_Method4032 praised the Season 5 update for addressing all their previous concerns, from improved shield animations to overall polish, and expressed hope that Warner Bros. might reconsider their decision due to the game's newfound potential. However, with real-money transactions disabled since January 31 and the Season 5 premium battle pass made free, Player First and Warner Bros. appear resolute in their plan to end service.

As MultiVersus approaches its final days, the community is left to mourn its impending loss while celebrating the game's remarkable transformation. The #SaveMultiVersus campaign continues to gain traction, fueled by memes and shared experiences, as players cherish what the game has become, even as it faces its end.