MultiVersus ends support on PlayStation after unstable cycle

The life cycle of MultiVersus on consoles PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 officially ends this Wednesday, May 29, marking another case of a game with great potential that couldn't stay relevant in the competitive market of multiplayer brawlers. The shutdown was confirmed by Player First Games and Warner Bros. Games, after a series of signs of weakening in community support and engagement.

Released in 2022, MultiVersus arrived as a major bet in the platform fighter genre, capitalizing on the success of Super Smash Bros. as inspiration and seeking a differential in the roster: iconic characters from different universes of Warner Bros., such as Batman, Superman, Arya Stark, Finn from Adventure Time, Velma and Scooby-Doo's Shaggy, in addition to classics from Looney Tunes. The title offered cross-play, support for ranked matches, and a seasonal structure with frequent updates — at least in the beginning.

Despite the ambitious proposal, the game suffered from recurring problems: unstable servers, inconsistent character balancing, unappealing events, as well as a prolonged pause in its content support, which resulted in a sharp drop in active players. According to SteamDB data, the PC version, for example, saw its player base drop from over 150,000 simultaneous players at its peak to numbers below 1,000 just a few months after the official release.

The decision to close specifically on Sony consoles raises questions about the future of the project as a whole. Although PC and Xbox have not yet received a shutdown date, the partial closure may indicate a transition to new directions or even a gradual withdrawal from the market. Warner Bros. Games itself stated that it is "reevaluating the business strategy for the title," without providing details on possible relaunches or reformulations.

The shutdown serves as an important reminder of the challenges of the live service model in the fighting game sector. Maintaining an active player base requires more than just an attractive roster: it demands consistency, community involvement, technical updates, and a coherent content plan. In this sense, MultiVersus is another example of how initial hype does not guarantee longevity.

For the remaining fans, the final appeal is to enjoy the last moments with the varied roster and combat system that, despite its flaws, offered creative moments. However, with the shutdown of PlayStation servers, it is clear that the project has lost momentum — and possibly financial support — to continue competing.