These days, paying to play a game long before it’s actually ready isn’t all that strange. There are some pretty good Early Access titles — Sons of the Forest and Last Epoch are great examples — and then there are some pretty awful ones. Some people like to joke that the actual release of some games are just paid open beta tests (Cyberpunk 2077 anybody?), and waiting several months after a game goes live before buying it isn’t that uncommon. For those of us who pay for Early Access or open beta, we like to think we’re helping support the developers so they’re getting some money while developing the game. Some companies do a great job updating and communicating with their communities, and then there are companies that do this.
Today, MultiVersus announced that it is going to close its open beta on June 25, 2023. This comes as a bit of a surprise, considering the open beta went live July 26, 2022. That means Player First Games is closing it down less than a year later. In an era where developers and publishers do some really shady stuff, this is almost unheard of. According to Player First Games, the MultiVersus open beta is closing so the game can get ready for launch.
“The MultiVersus Open Beta has been an important learning opportunity and a stepping stone to the next phase of the game,” Co-founder and Game Director Tony Huynh wrote in a blog post. “There is still a lot of work to do, and we have a clearer view on where we need to focus, specifically on the content cadence of new characters, maps and modes to provide more ways to enjoy the game, along with netcode and matchmaking improvements. We’ll also be reworking the progression system and looking at new ways for players to connect with friends in the game. To do this the right way, we will be closing the MultiVersus Open Beta on June 25, 2023. As part of this process, we’ll be pausing updates and taking the game offline as we prepare for the launch of MultiVersus, which we are targeting for early 2024.”
As a result of the open beta closing its doors, MultiVersus will be removed from digital storefronts and unavailable for download starting April 4. The game’s premium currency will also be removed at the same time. Anyone who downloads and installs MultiVersus prior to April 4 will have limited offline access to the training room and local matches once the open beta closes, along with access to previously earned or purchased characters and cosmetic items within those modes.
Player First Games was also quick to note that refunds will not be available as a result of the open beta closure. It did say that all progress and previously earned or purchased content will carry over when the game returns in early 2024.
The biggest reason why this is so bizarre is that people have been spending money and supporting the game. It’s pretty much unheard of for a major Early Access or open beta title like MultiVersus to shut down for an extended period of time. There might be long periods of time where the game doesn’t receive any updates, but they’ve mainly been playable. Even Osiris: New Dawn, which went through all sorts of turmoil in its development, was never temporarily shut down.
It’s understandable that some of the game’s community thinks MultiVersus isn’t even coming back. It will certainly be interesting to see how the public’s reception is if MultiVersus does return next year.
