The game director of MultiVersus, Tony Huynh, has publicly addressed the disturbing "threats to harm" developers following the announcement of the game's shutdown. Player First Games, the studio behind the Warner Bros. brawler, revealed that Season 5, set to conclude in May, would mark the end of MultiVersus, just a year after its relaunch. Players can still enjoy offline content through local and training modes, and use existing in-game currencies like Gleamium and character tokens until the support ends on May 30. However, the game will be delisted from major digital storefronts at that time.
The announcement, coupled with the lack of a refund policy, has led to significant backlash from players, particularly those who purchased the $100 premium Founder's Pack. Many feel "scammed" and are frustrated over the now-useless character tokens, resulting in review bombing on Steam.
In a heartfelt statement on X/Twitter, Huynh expressed gratitude towards the Warner Bros. Games team, IP holders, and the players. He apologized for the delay in addressing the situation, emphasizing the team's focus on the game and its members. Huynh highlighted the joy brought by fan art, character ideas, and personal stories, and explained the complexities behind character selection in the game. He also clarified his role within the highly collaborative environment at Player First Games.
Huynh strongly condemned the threats of violence, urging the community to recognize the emotional toll the shutdown has taken on the team. He encouraged players to enjoy Season 5 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. defended Huynh on X/Twitter, emphasizing the dedication and care Huynh showed towards the game and its community. Rodriguez stressed that threats of physical harm are unacceptable and urged players to consider the team's efforts and the improvements made in Season 5.
The shutdown of MultiVersus adds to a series of challenges for Warner Bros. Games, following the poor reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the departure of Warner Bros. Games boss David Haddad. Warner Bros. Discovery reported significant financial losses from these games, with Suicide Squad contributing a $200 million hit and MultiVersus adding another $100 million. The company's only new release in the third quarter of 2024, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, also failed to make a significant impact.
In a financial call, Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the underperformance of the games business and announced a focus on four key franchises: Hogwarts Legacy, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman. Despite the setbacks, Warner Bros. continues to work on new projects, including a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy and a Wonder Woman game, while Rocksteady Studios, despite recent layoffs, is reportedly involved in a director's cut of Hogwarts Legacy. Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat 1 has achieved over five million sales, with more DLC planned following the T-1000 Terminator character release.
