MultiVersus' Game Director Condemns Threats Following Shutdown Announcement
The game director of MultiVersus, Tony Huynh, has publicly denounced the threats of violence directed at the development team following the announcement of the game's closure. Last week, Player First Games revealed that Season 5 would be the final season, with servers shutting down this May, just a year after its relaunch.
While offline access to purchased and earned content will remain via local and training modes, the announcement sparked outrage among players, particularly those who purchased the $100 Founder's Pack. Many felt "scammed," especially those with unused character tokens after unlocking all playable characters. The game has also experienced a wave of negative reviews on Steam.
Huynh's statement acknowledged the disappointment and thanked players for their support, highlighting the team's dedication and creativity. He addressed concerns about character selection, explaining the complex factors involved, including development time, community feedback, IP holder approvals, and marketing opportunities. He emphasized the collaborative nature of Player First Games and the team's efforts to listen to player feedback.
However, he strongly condemned the threats of harm, stating that while players are entitled to their opinions, threats cross a line and are unacceptable, especially during this difficult time for the team.
Player First Games community manager Angelo Rodriguez Jr. also defended Huynh, highlighting his dedication and commitment to the players and the team. He urged players to reconsider their actions and focus on enjoying the remaining season.
MultiVersus' closure represents another significant setback for Warner Bros. Games, following the underperformance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. Warner Bros. Discovery reported that these failures resulted in a combined $300 million loss.
In response, Warner Bros. Discovery is refocusing its game development efforts on four core franchises: Hogwarts Legacy (with a sequel in development), Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman. This strategy aims to improve the success rate by concentrating resources on established properties and proven studios. While the financial performance of Mortal Kombat 1 remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and hinted at future DLC.
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