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. Offline access to purchased and earned content will remain via local and training modes. While in-game purchases are halted, Gleamium and character tokens remain usable until May 30th, after which the game will be delisted from major digital storefronts.

The announcement, coupled with the absence of a refund policy, sparked outrage among players, particularly those who purchased the $100 Founder's Pack, with many expressing feelings of being scammed. The situation has predictably resulted in negative reviews flooding Steam.

Huynh's statement addressed player concerns and condemned the threats: He expressed gratitude towards Warner Bros. Games, the development teams, IP holders, and players. He apologized for a delayed response, citing the intense workload and focus on the team's well-being. He acknowledged player feedback, including fan art and character suggestions, and explained the multifaceted process behind character selection, emphasizing the team's enthusiasm and collaborative nature. He stressed his limited authority within the highly collaborative Player First Games structure. Finally, he strongly condemned the threats of harm, appealing for empathy during this difficult time for the team.

Angelo Rodriguez Jr., community manager and developer, echoed Huynh's sentiments on X/Twitter, defending Huynh against the threats and highlighting his dedication and efforts. He emphasized the team's commitment and passion for the game, urging players to consider Huynh's perspective.

MultiVersus's failure adds to Warner Bros. Games' recent setbacks, following the disastrous launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League last year. Warner Bros. Discovery reported that these two titles contributed to a combined $300 million loss. The company's third-quarter 2024 release, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, also failed to gain traction.

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the underperformance of its games division and announced a renewed focus on four core franchises: Hogwarts Legacy (with a sequel in development), Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, particularly Batman. Recent releases include the VR title Batman: Arkham Shadow and an upcoming Wonder Woman game. Zaslav stated that the company is concentrating development efforts on these established franchises with proven studios to improve success rates. While Mortal Kombat 1's financial performance remains uncertain, NetherRealm Studios reported over five million sales and hinted at future DLC.