Surprise 'Multiversus' Was An Open Beta All This Time, Will Be Taken Offline And 'Released' Next Year

You may be surprised to remember that Warner Bros. platform fighter Multiversus, which was released in July 2022, won Fighting Game of The Year at the Game Awards and charged players for cosmetic and premium battle upgrades, was technically in open beta all this time.

In case you forgot, Warner Bros. and developers Player First games just posted a reminder by announcing Multiversus' open beta will close in June this year before the game goes completely offline until "early 2024."

MVPs, thank you for the support during Open Beta! The feedback and inspiration has been amazing. Open Beta will close on June 25 as we prepare for full launch in early 2024. #MultiVersus will be back better than ever with new content, features, modes & more when we return. pic.twitter.com/6NOCMRDBrp

— MultiVersus (@multiversus) March 27, 2023

On the Multiversus website, Player First's Tony Huynh explains that when the open beta shutters on June 25th, the developers will focus on "the content cadence of new characters, maps and modes to give you more ways to enjoy the game, along with updated netcode and more matchmaking improvements. We’ll also be reworking the progression system based on your feedback and looking at new ways for you to connect with your friends in the game." The game will be removed from stores on April 4th.

Multiversus is a platform fighter a la Smash Bros, and while it's free-to-play, it did engage in some "freemium" practices, such as selling cosmetic and experience upgrades for a price. One package could cost players $100. Players who spent money on Multiversus and want a refund — because the game they'll have been playing for a year is about to disappear for at least six months — can't get one. Player First says all purchases made in the "open beta" period will, however, carry over when it officially releases.

This is certainly a gambit on Warner Bros. and Player First's part. While Multiversus generated the most hype out of any supposed "Smash killer" upon its release, it largely failed to keep players engaged in its first six months out, and as of February, the game's PC player base was down 99 percent.

Considering the bleak trajectory Multiversus has been taking in recent months, many are unconvinced the game will "officially" release at all, and fired off memes about it and the players who paid for content they may never again be able to enjoy.

Players will have to wait until "early 2024" to see if Multiversus is able to recapture the hype the open beta had upon its initial release — that is, if Multiversus actually does return.