MultiVersus Struggles But Warner Bros. Stays Focused On IP

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that its free-to-play fighting game, MultiVersus, has seen disappointing performance, mirroring the struggles of its broader video game division. This announcement was made alongside the reveal of two new characters set to join the action-packed crossover brawler.

According to IGN, the game has contributed an additional $100 million to the already $200 million loss reported earlier this year, primarily due to the underwhelming reception and sales of Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. During a recent earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav stated the gaming division has been “substantially underperforming,” while highlighting a renewed focus on four major franchises: Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, with an emphasis on Batman.

In the latest financial quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery only introduced one new title: Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. However, the company has continued to support existing titles like Mortal Kombat 1 and MultiVersus, and is reportedly working on a director’s cut of Hogwarts Legacy, which has been the best-selling game of 2023. With plans for a sequel linked to the forthcoming Harry Potter HBO series, the company is eager to tap into this intellectual property.

“We’re emerging from a particularly challenging period in the gaming sector, but we possess four powerful games with dedicated fanbases, and our focus will be primarily on them,” Zaslav shared. “We intend to move away from the strategy of launching numerous titles, hoping that with a concentrated approach, we can achieve a more stable gaming business.”

The earnings call coincided with the announcement of new characters for MultiVersus’ upcoming fourth season, set to launch on November 12. This season, titled Midnight Misfits, will introduce Marceline from Adventure Time and Raven from DC. Raven will be available at the beginning of the season, while players can expect to see Marceline introduced later. The season is scheduled to conclude on January 21, 2025.

Additionally, MultiVersus is set to introduce a new arena mode that will feature teams of two competing in a match with a total of eight teams. Two new maps are also set to be included in this update.

Despite its struggles, Warner Bros. Discovery appears committed to the future of MultiVersus. The title aligns with the company’s strategy of capitalizing on established intellectual properties, and they have recently acquired Player First Games to enhance their collaboration on the fighting game.