MultiVersus Season 5 Shutdown: What You Need to Know

The rumors were true: the platform fighting game MultiVersus will shut down online services after its upcoming season ends on May 30. The new season, which begins on February 4, promises two new characters: Aquaman and Lola Bunny. Real money can no longer be used for microtransactions as of today, but players with premium currency in-game can use it until the shutdown.

A Brief History of MultiVersus

The game had less than a month of open beta play after it began in July 2022, but the developing studio Player First Games also took it offline for 10 months in March 2023, only fully launching on May 28, 2024. Despite the strong start, the player count dropped sharply in 2023, and the hype died instantly, as seen on Steam Charts. The open beta’s promise was seemingly undermined by predatory microtransactions and a long grind to unlock content.

The Future of MultiVersus

MultiVersus will remain playable offline after Season 5 ends, though the game will be removed from Steam and other stores. While disheartening to see a once-promising platform fighter head to the landfill, Brawlhalla, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, and Fraymakers remain viable alternatives, as does the obvious poster child for the genre, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.