Highlights

  • MultiVersus is making a big comeback in May 2024 with new stages, characters, and moveset changes to revitalize the game.
  • Visual and matchmaking upgrades, including an upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 and new netcode, will make MultiVersus more visually appealing and smoother to play.
  • The addition of a PvE mode offers players unique rewards and addresses the lack of single-player content that contributed to MultiVersus' initial decline.

After a steep drop-off in popularity last year, MultiVersus is set to make its return in 2024. With time to polish up the title, developer Player First Games has the chance to bring MultiVersus back with a bang.

MultiVersus was released in open beta back in July 2022. Though it initially received a huge swell of hype and coverage from many content creators, its popularity took a nosedive in 2023. Steam data for the title showed that, by the closure of MultiVersus' open beta in June 2023, the game had lost 99% of its playerbase on the platform. However, the title will now be relaunching May 28th 2024 with a variety of new features in the mix.

MultiVersus 2024
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Every New Feature Confirmed For Multiversus' Return

New Stages, Characters, and Character Changes

MultiVersus game director Tony Hyuh spoke in the 'Road to Launch' developer update video on the MultiVersus YouTube channel about the game's upcoming changes. Included within the video was not only the announcement that new stages would be coming, but also some concept art for them. The two shown both originate from some of Cartoon Network's 90s programming, with Townsville Hall from The Powerpuff Girls and the eponymous laboratory seen in Dexter's Laboratory.

In addition, it was announced that new characters will be coming when the game re-launches, though none have been confirmed yet. With the title encompassing franchises from all over the Warner Bros. canon, fans have no shortage of characters they'd love to see in MultiVersus' return. Moreover, Hyuh also confirmed that characters would be receiving new attacks and moves. It'd be a good move for the game's longevity if this comment points toward reworks for characters; part of MultiVersus' decline can be blamed on movesets being too complicated, especially with newer roster entries. It would be great to see some simplification, but there's also the chance this comment refers to more options to switch elements in and out of a moveset.

Visual And Matchmaking Upgrades

In the same video, Hyuh states that the development team for MultiVersus has switched to using Unreal Engine 5. A comparison between beta and pre-launch renderings of Wonder Woman are used to demonstrate this point, showing off better lighting and more detailing. The upgrade is certainly an improvement, even if the game already looked pretty solid. The extra detailing evident with the upgrade may help respond to the criticism that the title's style is too generic—making MultiVerse stand out more when it returns to the fray.

Another important step for MultiVersus' longevity is the complete restructuring of the game to support new netcode. Hyuh explains that the team will deliver 'consistent game performance' over all platforms, as well as promising that said performance will be 'world-class'. It's a great move for an online title, one that will do wonders to improve player retention so long as it can be achieved. The game really needs this level of smoothness for its multiplayer if it wants to win back the fans it lost and compete in the oversaturated live-service market (which MultiVersus does not look to be deviating from).

PvE Mode

Near the end of the update video, Hyuh announces that a PvE mode will be coming to the game. Little is known about how it will take shape, but Hyuh says it will offer 'additional ways of playing with unique rewards'. This is huge news for the game, as a lack of singleplayer content is a big reason MultiVersus' open beta died out. Without anything to bring in gamers that prefer solo play or provide a constant to contrast against the in-flux state of multiplayer communities, MultiVersus floundered against established live-service titans. Hopefully, this PvE mode will finally provide some sustainability.