MultiVersus Is Shutting Down After "Careful Consideration", Receiving One Final Update

Warner Bros.' crossover platform fighter MultiVersus is shutting down in 2025. The game was first released in May 2024, after a series of beta tests and early access periods in 2022 and 2023. Playing much like a film-and-TV-themed Smash Bros., it featured fighters from a number of Warner Bros. properties, including Looney Tunes, The Matrix, Game of Thrones, Cartoon Network, and Hanna-Barbera. The decision comes after "careful consideration" by Warner Bros. Games, which thanked players for their interest in its statement.

But it's reached the end of the line: MultiVersus will be officially shutting down on May 30, 2025, at 9 AM PST, according to a post on the official MultiVersuswebsite. The shutdown will occur after the conclusion of its fifth and final season, which begins on February 4, 2025, introducing two new characters: Aquaman and Lola Bunny. All of Season 5's content will be earnable through gameplay, according to Warner Bros. Games' statement, but after May 30, MultiVersus will no longer be available for online play, nor will it receive any new content updates.

MultiVersus Will Be Shutting Down After Season 5

But Players Can Still Access Some Content

MultiVersus Season 5 will end on May 30, but that doesn't mean the game will automatically be deleted from consoles on that day. The main difference is that, after the end of the season, MultiVersus will no longer be available for online play, nor will it see any further content updates.

However, some MultiVersus content will still be accessible. Players who own the game will still be able to access single-player and local multiplayer modes "for the foreseeable future," according to the official MultiVersus X (formerly Twitter) account. However, the game will no longer be available for download via most digital platforms.

If you want to continue playing MultiVersus after the servers shut down, make sure you've downloaded it to your preferred platform before May 30.

Players will also be unable to purchase any further microtransactions after MultiVersus' May 30 shutdown. During previous seasons, players could spend real money on a variety of in-game items, including the virtual currency Gleamium. While any Gleamium obtained prior to the server shutdown will remain in players' accounts, and can still be spent, players will not be able to purchase anything else via MultiVersus' microtransaction store.

What Went Wrong With MultiVersus?

MultiVersus Always Had Its Issues

Although its diverse roster and approachability made it popular in some circles, MultiVersus suffered from several issues throughout its lifespan that ultimately caused its downfall. Numerous technical issues, including frequent disconnection. These issues were especially prevalent during its beta test and early access period, which served as a deterrent for some players when it eventually launched. Its pre-release trials were also confusing: first, an open beta, then, an early access period, and finally, a full release. The intervening two-year waiting period was definitely a bit too long, and probably caused some players' interest to expire.

But to point at just one factor that killed its fun, like every live service game that goes the way of the dodo, MultiVersus' microtransactions were its biggest issue. Although a free-to-play game, MultiVersus allowed players to purchase a wide variety of in-game content: battle passes, virtual currency, etc. New characters frequently featured as part of the battle pass, and players could either grind endlessly to unlock them, or pay a fee to do so instantly. This kind of anti-grinding microtransaction can be frustrating, and disrespectful to the player's time. Personally, nothing could get me to put down a game quicker.

Still, I'll be sorry to see MultiVersus go. I did have some fun with it back in the early days, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. If nothing else, I hope MultiVersus will find a healthy second life as a fun little offline-only party game.

Sources: Multiversus, MultiVersus/X