‘MultiVersus’ to go offline for 2024 relaunch

Warner Bros. Games and Player First Games are to shut down MultiVersus’ open beta, ahead of a full release targeted for early 2024.

It has been confirmed that the Smash Bros-esque fighter will be taken offline on 25 June. Players who have the game currently, or who download it before 4 April, will still be able to use the game’s training room and take part in local matches, as well as using any characters and in-game cosmetics they have unlocked.

The Season 2 battle pass will be extended through 25 June and daily missions will continue to be added, but the weekly seasonal milestones will no longer refresh after 31 March.

In a blog post, Tony Huynh, CEO and co-founder of Player First Games, wrote: “We have a clearer view of what we need to focus on, specifically the content cadence of new characters, maps and modes to give you more ways to enjoy the game, along with updated netcode and more matchmaking improvements.

“We’ll also be reworking the progression system based on your feedback and looking at new ways for you to connect with your friends in the game.”

This news comes shortly after the revelation that MultiVersus has lost nearly 100% of its daily player count on Steam since its July 2022 launch, in large part due to player dissatisfaction over a lack of new characters and the monetisation of content.

Early reactions to the news have been negative, particularly as Player First Games announced that there would be no refunds provided outside of the normal storefront policies and terms. They did confirm that “all progress and previously earned or purchased content will carry over when MultiVersus returns in early 2024”. Indie game designer Stephen Sharples said that it “seems a bit dodgy” to take away a game that people have already paid to play.