MultiVersus' Open Beta will soon come to a somber close, as Player First Games is planning to take the free-to-play platform brawler offline to prepare for its full launch next year. MultiVersus had enjoyed success during its Beta launch last summer, bringing popular WB characters into the fold like Rick and Morty, Black Adam, and Marvin The Martian since then.
When MultiVersus launched it was regarded as a bona fide Smash Bros. competitor, sporting tight and precise brawler gameplay and a wealth of creative move sets for each character. The introduction of classes to a brawler game like this was unique and provided specific characters with roles and optimal play styles. Mage characters like Rick and Bugs Bunny are strongest at range, while Assassins Arya Stark and Harley Quinn seek backstab opportunities for bonus damage. As a Beta, this was an opportunity for Player First Games to observe, take feedback and tweak the gameplay. Now it's time for Player First to take what it's learned over the past few months and apply it to the upcoming full launch next year.
MultiVersus director Tony Huynh announced that the Open Beta will be closing down on June 25th and the game will be taken offline, thus pausing all updates for the time being. Unfortunately for players, this means online play will no longer be available until the full launch in early 2024. Offline modes such as The Lab training room and local matches will still be accessible. Tony Huynh also mentioned they'll be reworking player progression and all unlocked characters and cosmetics will be carried over to the full launch next year.
When is MultiVersus Shutting Down?
- June 25
It will be interesting to see how progression will be reworked and if the unique, yet controversial perks system will remain in-tact. It's also possible that MultiVersus' status as a free-to-play title will become jeopardized with this move towards a full launch. As of now, players must unlock characters by either earning gold coins through playing matches or purchasing Gleamium. With the promise of even more characters added to the roster upon next year's launch it'll be interesting to see if this unlock system will see a change as well.
Even though the offline modes will remain accessible during the months between the end of the beta and next year's full release, the temporary loss of the main meat-and-potatoes online experience is going to undoubtedly be a major disappointment for fans of MultiVersus. In the perilous world of live service game development, taking a game offline for any amount of time is incredibly dangerous for all-important player retention. Additionally, players who have invested money in MultiVersus have the right to be upset at not being able to play for months on end. It will be interesting to see if next year's launch will give MultiVersus a much-needed second wind or if the damage of taking the game offline for a year will be permanent.
MultiVersus is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
