Gamers have been spoiled for choice in recent months with the release of popular titles like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Mortal Kombat 1. Another contender, MultiVersus by Warner Bros., is making a comeback on May 28. This platform fighter will be accessible on various platforms including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
MultiVersus is Warner Bros.’ version of the beloved Super Smash Bros. series. Players aim to weaken their opponents to knock them off platforms. Instead of playing as iconic characters like Mario or Pikachu, the roster consists of characters from WB properties such as DC Comics, movies like Space Jam: A New Legacy featuring LeBron James, and HBO. It offers an engaging two vs. two gameplay experience.
The game initially launched in open beta in July 2022 and quickly gained popularity, attracting 20 million players in its first month. However, the player count decreased, particularly on PC, due to a lack of updates and new characters. In response, Developer Player First Games announced last March that they would take the servers offline to improve the game ahead of its full release later in the year. This decision upset some players who had made in-game purchases only to see the game offline for an additional 10 months.
Game director Tony Hyunh revealed some updates for MultiVersus alongside the full release date. Players can anticipate new characters, stages, and fresh attacks. Though specific character additions were not disclosed, there is hope for popular names from shows like Succession and The Last of Us to make an appearance. More details will be unveiled closer to the release date.
Player First Games rebuilt the game using Unreal Engine 5 to enhance character lighting and visuals. Additionally, they implemented new rollback netcode to reduce lag in online play and ensure consistent performance. A player versus environment mode will also be introduced, allowing players to enjoy the game without engaging in PvP matches.
MultiVersus is relaunching following Warner Bros. Discovery’s recent announcement to focus on live-service, mobile, and free-to-play games with long-term engagement over single-player experiences. This strategic shift comes despite mixed results from titles like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (a live-service game) and the overwhelming success of Hogwarts Legacy, which sold 22 million copies in the previous year.