Warner Bros. Games has acquired the MultiVersus developer Player First Games for an undisclosed amount. The platform fighter developer is now readying for MultiVersus' second season of content, set to ma?ke its debut this week on July 23, ??2024.

Player First Games is now a part of Warner Bros.

In an official press release, WB Games announced its acquisition of Player First Game. Studio Co-F?oun?ders Tony Huynh and Chris White (also Head of Technology) will report to Carlos Barbosa, Vice President and Studio Head of Warner Bros. Games San Diego.

“We have worked with Player First Games over several years to create and launch MultiVersus, and we are very pleased to welcome this talented team to Warner Bros. Games,�said president of Warner Bros. Games David Haddad. “The bright and creative team at Player First Games adds to our extensive development capabilities.�/p>

One reason behind the Player First Games acquisition by WB Games is cited as a smoother integration process between the studio and the publisher, perhaps with better communication surrounding its IP or faster production time to release upcoming characters quicker. Huynh also explained that "having [their] development team integrated with the publisher is optimum for the players.�/p>

Samurai Jack and Beetlejuice are around the corner

Season 1 included four characters: The Joker, Jason Voorhees, Banana Gua?rd, and Agent Smith. The rollout has been relatively slow, however, as Agent Smith is about ??to launch for everyone nearly two months after the game's release on May 28.

Season 2, so far, will give us the cartoon classic Samurai Jack, along with the grotesque ghosty Be?etlejuice, who seem to be in the game for promotional reasons as a sequel film heads to theatres this September. The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch and Scooby-Doo have also appeared in the artwork for upcoming MultiVersus comics launching later this year (via Bleeding Cool), so it's likely they'll arriv?e ?in the platform fighter shortly.

Warner Bros. Games also owns NetherRealm Studios, the Chicago developer that makes the Mortal Kombat series, ?so Player First Games has great company in the fighting game space. Seeing Sub-Zero clashing with Batman and?? Steven Universe sounds riveting.

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After a year back in the workshop, MultiVersus returned on May 28, with new features, characters, and stages.?? One week of action gave the development team a good idea of what neede?d to be adjusted, and Player First Games responded with the first batch of buffs and nerfs.

Before jumping into the MultiVersus1.01 update patch notes, Player First Games confirmed that performance improvements, end game statistics, and the option to turn off team colors won't be a part of this update, but will be added at a later date. In addition, the development team assured players that the option to purchase extra lives was a bug and has since been removed from the title. And despite a ?series of changes in this update, Iron Giant will still be unavailable while a few more issues get ironed out.

With that out ?of the way, let's jump right ??????????????????????????into the Multiversus 1.01 update patch notes.

MultiVersus 1.01 update patch notes

General 

• Lowered Hit Pause on all Hits by 10% in 1v1 modes
• Players can now try all Fighters in Training Mode, including Fighters they do not own
• Battlepass XP will now be granted after each PvP Match in addition to Events and Missions.

Bug Fixes 

• Fixed an issue where players could not complete daily rewards in Rifts Mode
• Fixed an issue that was impacting performance on Xbox Series X|S 
• Fixed an issue where beam visual effects were occasionally invisible on PlayStation consoles 
• Fixed an issue where certain keyboard configurations would cause phantom inputs in matches 
• Fixed an issue with pause input conflicts in Training

Characters 

Legend:  
+ = Buff 
â€?nbsp;= Nerf 
~ = Change 
* = Bugfix 
Note: ??Attacks callouts reference default controls. 

Arya 

• Dash Attack

  • ~ Reduced input buffer window for follow-up attacks 

Banana Guard 

The goal of this change is to reduce the extreme kill po??wer on Banana Guard’s side specials and bring it more in line with the damage of the rest of the cast. 

• Aerial Side Special 

  • â€?Reduced damage to 10 from 12 

• Ground Side Special

  • â€?Reduced damage to 12 from 14 

Bugs Bunny 

• Neutral Special

  • * Fixed an issue causing the Safe to hit repeatedly and rapidly in succession 

Garnet 

• Down Special

  • * Fixed an issue where Garnet and an enemy could be frozen at the end of her Star Grab 

Gizmo 

• Up Special

  • â€?Ally attach cooldown now begins when Gizmo detaches from his ally, instead of beginning when Gizmo attaches to his ally. 

Iron Giant 

The goal of these changes is to prevent Iron Giant from c?haining certain sets of attacks infinitely. While these fixes address some of the issues on Iron Giant, it will r??equire additional fixes to bring Iron Giant fully back online. Iron Giant will remain down for repairs until those fixes are implemented in a future patch. 

• Ground Down Attack

  • ~ Knockback angle is now more horizontal 

• Aerial Neutral Attack

  • ~ Final hit now always knocks away regardless of charge 

• Ground Side Attack

  • â€?Jab first hitbox is slightly smaller 

• Rage Mode Pilot Special

  • ~ Reduced strobing visual effects

• Rage Mode Up Special

  • â€?Reduced final hit damage to 5 from 6 

Jake 

• Aerial/Ground Up Special

  • * Fixed some issues with game performance 

Jason 

• Ground Down Special

  • * Fixed an issue where one player would disappear when Jason grabbed two players with the sleeping bag 

LeBron 

• Basketball 

  • â€?Basketball can now only hit one time per target 

Marvin 

• Aerial/Ground Neutral Attack

  • * Fixed an issue where Marvin could ringout opponents instantly due to a Side Special projectile interaction with Neutral Attack 

Reindog 

• Aerial Side Attack

  • ~ Knockback Angle is now more horizontal 

• Aerial Up Attack

  • ~ Knockback Angle is now more horizontal 

Shaggy 

The goal of this change?? is to not allow Neutral Air Attack to combo back into the Jab combo at all damage levels. There are feel issues introduced with this change that we will address in the next?? patch. 

• Aerial Neutral Air

  • ~ Base Knockback increased to 1700 from 1300 
  • ~ Knockback Scaling increased to 14 from 13 
  • ~ Knockback Angle is more horizontal 
  • ~ On-Hit cancel window delayed by 10 frames 

Steven 

• Aerial Up Attack

  • ~ Sweet spot hitbox delayed 1 frame later to match when Steven has his hands clapped together 

• Aerial Down Attack

  • â€?On-Hit cancel window delayed by 3 frames 

Stripe 

• Aerial Down Attack

  • + More downward momentum is maintained on attack start-up 

Taz 

• Aerial/Ground Side Special

  • + Increased damage on non-cooldown tornado final hit to 8 from 7  

Wonder Woman 

Wonder Woman’s lass?o was ??a bit too oppressive to play against without any limiter, so we decided to add a short cooldown to the ability. 

• Aerial/Ground Neutral Special

  • â€?Added an 8 second cooldown for lasso 

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The relaunch of Multiversus has already been a fairly divisive affair, but fans took note that the game was missing some features. However, the dev assures the game is bring?ing those features back.

Several features that were availabl??e in what PlayerFirst and the community are generously calling the Beta were missing, which obviously rubbed fans the wrong way.

But Tony Huynh, the co-fo??under of Player 1st Games, took to social media to assure fans that those features would be restored soon.

"Many of these features are currently implemented and are in testing and we had planned, but were left out due to time as we had to rebuild every screen and feature again to support our new netcode and Unreal Engine 5 switch." Huynh revealed on his Twitter/X account.

When Multiversus finally returned after its long hiatus, fans were quick to note features were missing that had added to the game's online multiplayer. These components included leaderboards, match stats, a co-op vs AI mode, and a Smash Bros-like free-for-all mode that added random items.

Also missing was the ability to play as an unowned character in training mode. Without this option, players a?re left with no means of test-driving a new character without unlocking them.

In their place was a brand new season pass with unlockables and a new single-player driven "Rift" mode. The reception to the new Multiversus has been fairly mixed, but hopefully this i??s just a small bump for this already controversial game.

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For those who have been logging into Multiversus' online competitions and encountered an error, you'r?e not alone. Many players have been stuck in offline ?mode and have yet to find a reason why. But fear not; we're here to guide you on what this could mean and possible fixes.

Multiversus stuck in offline mode, explained

One of the primary reasons you may find yourself stuck in Multiversus' offline mode is due to an age restriction. If your WB Games account is under 18, you can only access certain features, which keeps you offline. This re?striction is likely in place to prevent younger players from making in-game purchases.

It's important to note that you can't change your age directly in-game, as this feature seems to be tied to your WB Games account. Additionally, if you haven't updated the game file, you may encounter this issue. Multiversus was initially set to offline mode before its full release, so installing the necessary updates is crucial. This method is mostly cater??ed towards those who have previously installed the game during its Early Access.  

It's important to remember that Multiversus is still in its early stages, and errors like this are more common at this phase. That said, it could mean that servers are currently down when attempting to join online. Follow the Multiversus page to stay updated on issues, including server d??owntimes.

If? all else fails, check to see if your internet connection is stable. LAN connections work best, too, to help with laggy performances.

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MultiVersus is doing a lot to win over not just new fans, but all the old players from the game's open beta. Multiple new characters, such as Jason Voorhees and Agent Smith, have been confirmed for its first proper season, alongside a PvE mode, and now developer Player First Games has revealed how returning players?? can claim a bunch of free content, including the battle pass.

Like similar free-to-play games, MultiVersus has two kinds of battle passes: a free one for all players and a premium pass you need to pay for that offers additional rewards. According to the official website, if you played the original beta, you'll automatically unlock the premium battle pass, which means you'll also get access to the game's incredibly chunky Jason. It sounds like a good deal to me, especially since Player First Games is promising it has bumped up the number of high value rewards in both battle passes. However, you will need to log into MultiVersus by June 11, two weeks after its May 28 launch, to take advantage of the ?offer.

Player First Games is also offering returning players a few other special pieces of content—a Snow Suit Finn variant, a Rising Stars ringout, and a Banana Guard announcer pack—and these ones aren't under any time limit; you'll get them whenever you log in for the first time. In addition, there'll be a seven-day reward calendar for any players who beat the tutorial, with the final unlock being a playable Banana Guard from Adventure Time. I'll let you decide whether that's a worthwhil??e reward or not.

Speaking of rewards, Player First Games has decided to give its in-game economy something of an overhaul. There are still too many types of currency in my opinion—four of them to be exact—but the premium currency, Gleamium, will now be included in both the free and premium battle passes. Originally, Gleamium had to be bought with real money, and a significant number of unlockables could only be purchased with Gleamium. During the beta, VGC deduced that it would cost roughly $250 / £200 to acquire everything the game had to offer at the time. Sure, MultiVersus is free-to-play so it needs to earn money somehow, but this j??ust felt extreme.

With Gleamium now obtainable through play, this should mean players won't feel as pressured to spend more and more money on certain unlockables. Plus, completing the premium battle pass will ensure you have enough Gleamium to purchase the next season's battle pass, so that's already an improvement. However, we don't know how much unlockables will cost or how much grinding will need to be done to acquire characters, costumes, and the like if you don't want to spend money. MultiVersus seems to be doing everything right to rejuvenate interest, but a demanding grind and obnoxiously high prices?? for items could very? easily push people away again.

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Now that the beta has been offline for a while, the platform fighter Multiversus has returned for its 1.0 launch. You'll get the chance to play as many characters on the roster, all spanning from beloved TV shows, films, and comics. Here's what you need to know about Multiversus: A release date, roster, free-to-play ava?ilability, and more.

When does Multiversus 1.0 come out?

According to the game's FAQ page, Multiversus will be released on May 28, 2024. The exact time has yet to be set, but we'll update this gui??de once more information is announced. Pre-loads may also be available as the release date approaches. 

If you have already downloaded Multiversus from the be?ta, you can play its 'offline access mode' in the Lab training room. This mode allows you to practice your moves, test out different characters, and explore the game's mechanics without an internet connection. However, its availability will change with the full release.

What platforms can you play Multiversus on?

With Multiversus, you're not limited to a single platform. It's available to play on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC. And for those who like to switch between devices, Multiversus offers the convenience of cross-play and cross-progression f??eatures. That means your progress is safe and sound, no matter ?where you play. 

Multiversus roster: All playable characters

Like any fighter game, the roster is one of the most significant selling points. Check out the confirmed list of playable characters in Multiversus:

All characters mentioned above were confirmed from the official Multiversus roster. However, the only one not listed there is the Joker, who was introduced in the Send in the Clowns! gameplay trailer. 

We've seen a few snippets of Joker causing mayhem with his part?ner-in-crime, Harley Quinn. He harnesses multiple moves, including his Joker, Baby! dash attack and Dirty Dealer! long-range strike. 

Aside from the Joker, Adventure Time's Banana Guard has been announced for the Multiversus roster. ??The snippet presents the character's unique fighting style, using its spear to damage enemies.

Three characters from the Adventure Time series will make their mark, but we'll have to see if more of them are included. Jason Voorhees and Agent Smith have also been included in the roster, depicted in the official launch trailer.

Will Multiversus still be free?

Fortunately, Multiversus will still be free-to-play. Although there is a premium Battle Pass, you can take advanta?ge of its free option?? by playing many rounds. It will take some time, but hey, at least it won't require any money. 

Will progress and past purchases carry over to Multiversus 1.0?

As long as you made purchases before June 25, 2023, everything should carry over to Multiversus 1.0. This includes Battle Pass tokens, Gleamium, character tickets, and cosmetics. However, progress and purchased content made a??fter this?? date will not transfer to the full release. 

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Ahead of the relaunch of MultiVersus and its first real season, Player First Games confirmed Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th would be joining as one of the new playable characters alongside the Joker. While there's plenty of enthusiasm for his inclusion, one thing Jason's fans can't seem to agree on is his design, which is noticeabl?y... chunky.

Jason has been portrayed by multiple actors throughout the various Friday the 13th movies, and has always been this large, looming figure, typically depicted as being over six feet tall. He's still distinctly recognizable in MultiVersus, but he's now cartoonishly top heavy, with hands bigger than his head. His design was actually leaked by Twitter user Fumo Leaks prior to the official reveal, and while there's no proper ga?m?eplay footage of him yet, his brief appearance in the cinematic season one trailer wound up corroborating the leak.

Looking through reactions on Twitter, a few people have compared Jason's design to that of a large stuffed teddy bear with a tiny head. Plenty of others initially wrote off the original leak as fake because of how ridiculous they felt the design looked, while some have decried that he's "not Jason" and "looks stupid."

However, there are just as many that are in love with how cartoonishly big Jason is, or at least just find it very funny and not worth getting mad over. Some of my favorite comments include one describing him as being "built like a fridge" and one that questions if Jason ate the Camp Crystal lake to get that big. The frequent comparisons to the Kingpin from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse are hilarious too.

Personally, I do think the MultiVersus design is a bit over-the-top, though I get the logic behind it. Jason's a big guy, and the team clearly wanted to emphasize that, but it probably could've been done without radically enlarging his proportions. Regardless, getting an icon like Jason into the game could get more people to check out MultiVersus when it launches on May 28.

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It seems Player First Games is pulling out all the stops to convince people to give MultiVersus another chance when it re-launches. Aside from everyone's favourite clow?n criminal the Joker join??ing the roster, a new launch trailer has confirmed two more additions: Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees and The Matrix's Agent Smith.

Jason's inclusion had leaked over the weekend, but Agent Smith certainly took me by surprise. Given the recent teases for The Powerpuff Girls, I'd have thought they'd be the next character reveal. Despite those three seeming like a guarantee, Player First Games has only confirmed Joker, Jason, and Agent Smith for Multiversus' first proper season of con?tent, now titled Puns & Villainy??. Joker and Jason will be available at launch on May 28, while Agent Smith is only said to be releasing later into the season.

The trailer doesn't show how either Jason or Smith will play; in fact, it doesn't have any gameplay at all and is another aggressive reminder of how many Warner Bros. IPs are being represented. The whole thing is still rather amusing (particularly Velma from Scooby-Doo using speech bubbles to fight Bugs Bunny and the Joker), and I can't help but get a little hyped seeing Joker summon Jason and Smith to his side as he sits on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. The game is also meant to be getting Banana Guard from Adventure Time, as confirmed in a trailer from last week, but there's no mention?? of whether they're part of sea??son one as well.

It's not just new characters, though. Recently, Player First confirmed there'll be PvE content for all the solo players in the form of Rift Mode. Rifts are essentially different types of challenges that follow a specific theme, and ?they're not always traditional battles. Some fights will have modi??fiers, like infinite jumping, and there'll be minigames and boss battles too.

All in all, MultiVersus seems to be doing everything right to try and curry back favour after it unceremoniously went offline last year. What's important is what comes after launch. Having a bunch of new characters and additional modes is great for enticing players, but it'll need to keep up a steady stream of content that keeps those players invested. I'm especially curious to see how often new characters will be rolled out. While it's impo??rtant not to keep fans waiting too long for them, having three or four in one season alone almost feels like too much at once, and risks making each new addition feel not as special. This is only the first season, though, so maybe Player First is starting big and will dial it back with subsequent seasons.

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Following last week's MultiVersus character reveal, Player First Games has put out a proper gameplay trailer for the crossover's newest playable fighter: The Joker. Despite the Clown Prince of Crime being th??e focus, though, Player First seems to have taken the opportunity to tease another set of characters, The Powerpuff ??Girls.

The trailer begins with Batman's computer being hacked by the Joker, which brings up profiles of several othe?r playable characters. Eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed all three Powerpuff Girls—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup—appearing on the display i?n the top right corner. Although unlike the rest of the characters, they're depicted with what looks like art from their show rather than in-game renders. Still, the fact they're there at all may as well be official confirmation of their inclusion.

The Powerpuff Girls were always a safe bet for MultiVersus. Aside from being popular Cartoon Network characters, evidence of their inclusion was uncovered via datamines from 2023, courtesy of Twitter user AusilMV, and their home city of Townsville seemed to be in the background of a clip teasing a new Superman costume. The real question is whether they'll be three separate characters with their own movesets, or if they'll share a roster slot and all play identically to each other. Also, there's no telling when they'll be added to MultiVersus, though I imagine we won't hear details until after the game's full release on May 28.

The Powerpuff Girls may not be the only Cartoon Network icons being teased for MultiVersus either. In the same trailer, around the 49 second mark, we can see a brand-new stage set in a laboratory. Some fans in the comments section believe this is meant to be Dexter's laboratory from... Dexter's Laboratory, which could mean the boy genius will join the roster too. In the bottom right hand corner, you can even see a sign that looks an awful lot like the "No Dee Dee" sign Dexter has on his bedroom door in the show, meant to bar his annoying older sister from entering (it never wo?rks).

MultiVersus' roster was always one of its strong points and there's plenty of exciting potential for future inclusions thanks to Warner Bros' extensive catalogue of IP to draw from. However, the game has a lot to prove to try and win over players. Many were annoyed when it went offline last year, especially since some had already spent money on its microtransactions, with no option to claim refunds. Any purchases are expected to carry over into the full game, but the whole thing still left a sour taste in fans' mouths. As such, MultiVersus fa?ces an uphill battle to curry back players' favour, and adding new characters is only a part of that.

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In the first new character announcement since the Open Beta initially closed, MultiVersus is set to ad??d the Joker to the growing list of familiar names.

Several fans already guessed it based on the series of clues Player First Games provided, but the devs officially confirmed Joker as a new character coming to MultiVersus. In the reveal trailer, we get a first look at the character design and in a pleasant surprise, the Joker will be voiced by actor Mark Hamill, who previously played the iconic DC Super-Villain in the Batman: Arkham videogame series and Batman: The Animated Series. 

The Joker will be available when MultiVersus launches on May 28.

MultiVersus initially launched an Open Beta in July of 2022. After achieving plenty of success, the devs closed the Open Beta in June of 2023 to rework the free-to-play fighter's netcode, matchmaking, and progression system. Additionally, Player First Game promised to introduce new characters, maps, modes, and features when the title officially relaunched. The devs aimed for an initial re-launch window of early 2024, but players will finally be ab??le to jump back into matches soon.

So far, the devs have already revealed that MultiVersus will use rollback netcode, which will improve matchmaking and gameplay fluidity. Then, Player First Games dropped a blog previewing new gameplay changes, including a new dash attack, parry improvements, character ??kit tuning, and more. It's unclear if there are plans to reveal any other new character before the off?icial re-launch, but we will provide any updates on other announcements.

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The weather's starting to heat up, and so is this month of video games. From the long-awaited Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 to a remake of a beloved Paper Mario classic, t?here's much to look forward to in the May 2024 games lineup.??

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 (Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Ninja Theory
Price: $49.99
Release Date: May 21
Trailer

Creeping in with some psychological horror this month is Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Xbox promises a "brutal journey of survival" as we experience the myths of Viking Iceland. Ninja Theory has showcased some gorgeous visuals, striking performances, and phenomenal sound in early trailers. The original impressed, so hopefully the sequel lives up to its pedigree. Launching on May 21, it wil??l be available on day one on Xbox Game P??ass for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Price: $59.99
Release Date: May 23
Trailer

From a dark subdued atmosphere to a bright papercraft world, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door packs a dazzling amount of charm. While the game unfortunately runs at 30 frames per second (as opposed to the original's 60), the visuals reporte?dly pop on screen and suit a modern system.

Many will be reliving fond memories as they bounce on foes in time, find legendary treasure, and explore beautiful Mario environments. You should also expect funny dialogue from Bowser and others you know and love from the Mushroom Kingdom. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door's story unfolds on the Nintendo Switch on?? May 23.

MultiVersus (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC)

Publisher: WB Games
Developer: Player First Games
Price: Free to play
Release Date: May 28
Trailer

Warner Bros-themed platform fighter MultiVersus is finally returning on May 28. Its open beta was popular, but was taken offline for quite some time. Similar to Super Smash Bros., the aim of the game is to knock your opponent out of the ring. Characters like Batman, Bugs Bunny, and Finn from Adventure Time battle it out for dominance in the arena.

The game, however, has a unique focus on team-based gam??eplay, with ??some heroes like Wonder Woman having team-support abilities. The Amazonian can use her lasso to save her ally, for example. Hopefully, the game succeeds with a new server system and a transition to Unreal Engine 5.

Wuthering Waves (PC, iOS, Android)

Publisher: Kuro Game Studio
Developer: Kuro Game Studio
Price: Free to play
Release Date: May 22
Trailer

Those wanting an alternate take on the Genshin Impact formula may want to check out Wuthering Waves on May 22. Available for free for PC, Android, and iOS, this anime-inspired game features pretty visuals, well-designed characters to meet (and unlock through gacha mechanics), and fast-paced action gameplay. The combat system features counters and QTE elements, making it somewhat different to MiHoYo's Genshin Impact.

We'll see if this game can stand out in a competitive space with Zenless Zone Zero and other titles on the horizon.

The Rogue Prince of Persia (PC Early Access)

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Evil Empire
Price: Unknown currently
Release Date: May 14
Trailer

Lastly, there's The Rogue: Prince of Persia, a new roguelike developed by Dead Cells studio Evil Empire. Launching under Early Access on May 14, this platformer sparks with ?color as the Prince acrobatically moves acro??ss each level and strikes his opponents. There are all sorts of weapons to collect, and a selection of secondaries, such as bows, shields, and grappling hooks. Ubisoft says on the Steam page that we'll have to "Switch [our] loadout mid-run to adapt to new challenges."

Despite having an excellent Prince of Persia game already in 2024, a second might be a great dessert or perhaps ev?en the main course.

Honorable Mentions

There are plenty other May 2024 games to choose from, including indie darlings like Braid Anniversary Edition and the fast-paced shooter XDefiant.

• Endless Ocean Luminous (Switch) - May 2
• Surmount (Switch, PC) - May 2
• V Rising (PC) - May 8
• Little Kitty, Big City (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch) - May 9
• Crow Country (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) - May 9
• Homeworld 3 (PC) - May 13
• Braid Anniversary Edition (PS4, PS5, PC, Netflix, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) - May 15 (16 for Xbox systems)
• Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut (PC) - May 16
• Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Switch, PC) - May 16
• Paper Trail (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• XDefiant (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) - May 21
• RKGK (PC) - May 22
• Pine Hearts (Switch, PC) - May 23
• Rocket Rumble (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 23
• World of Goo 2 (Switch) - May 23
• Songs of Silence (PC) - May 23
• Umbraclaw (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC)
• F1 24 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - May 31
• Hypercharge: Unboxed (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) - May 31
• Mutant Football League 2 (PC) - May 31

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If you want to experience free games on Steam, there's, thankfully, a lot that the store has to offer. You can gallivant with your friends on hostile planets in PlanetSide 2 or message your love interest friend in a pseudo AOL Messenger in Emily is Away.

The best fr?ee games on Steam offer a ton of content and have as few restrictions as possible. These 18 titles certainly do that in spades.

Apex Legends

One of the best battle royales in the market right now is Apex Legends. It provides the high-precision gunplay from Titanfall 2 and brings it into the competitive battle royale space. Sliding down hills and using each hero's powers is satisfying to perform in the game. There will be many intense moments as you contend against opposing teams, and the game provides many opportunities to fail or succeed. The free-to-play model is a little on the expensive side if you want cosmetics and more characters, but playing from the base roster is also entertaining to start Apex Legends with.

Brawlhalla

If you're annoyed you can't play Super Smash Bros. on PC, check out Brawlhalla. It features a smooth platform fighter experience that plays great online. It also h?as a vibrant cast of chara?cters to choose from. Many will be locked behind payments or in-game progression, but there is a regularly updated free rotation of characters to choose from. One of the game's unique strategic elements is switching two weapons available to each player. Each weapon's moveset is radically different, and you'll need to decide which option best suits the situation.

The Finals

Destructible environments, parti??cipating? in a game show, and great gunplay all combine into The Finals, one of the latest multiplayer hits on Steam. You’re taking a ca?sh prize and trying to transport it to a capture area. On the way, you’ll have to fend off two other teams of three. With an exciti?ng vertical element to each map, The Finals ma?nages to stand out among ?its FPS competition. Check this game out when you can! Oh, and it’s crossplay too! 

My Hero Ultra Rumble

Anime fans, rejoice! My Hero Ultra Rumble is a neat battle royale take on the beloved anime series. Each hero or villain has their own quirks that change the battle. Deku can pick up allies and run fast to get away from enemies. Meanwhile, Cementoss creates stone walls to protect his team and keep the enemy team distracted. If you don’t want to shoot down enemies?? in Call of Duty Warzone or Fortnite, My Hero Ultra Rumble offers a refreshing take on the genre. 

Emily is Away

Emily is Away is a nostalgic journey back into the Windows XP era of communication. There was no Facebook,?? TikTok, or Instagram. Instead, you used to chat on AOL Instant Messenger. This unique storytelling device isn't just a gimmick, however. There's a beautifully told narrative about two friends who have grown apart from each other since high school and are trying to reconnect. Despite there being no voice acting, all the emotional beats are there, as you await Emily's response. Try this one-hour game out when you can. It's one of the best free games on Steam.

Guild Wars 2

Can't afford Final Fantasy XIV Online or don't want to bother with the Battle.net client on PC for World of Warcraft? Guild Wars 2 is a good third option for an MMO. You can play the entirety of the engaging core campaign for free. However, there are restrictions you should keep in mind, like locked content until you reach a certain level. Despite that one fault, Guild Wars 2 offers a stunning world enriched? with entertaining MMORPG gameplay.

Farlight 84

Tired of Fortnite and want something new? Farlight 84 may be your antidote. It blends the art style of Epic Games�battle royale and mixes it with the ability-based system of Apex Legends. The result is a solid shooter that impresses new fans of the game and isn’t even out of Early Access yet. The weapons feel heavy and powerful, a??nd the overall environments look pleasing to the eye. Just turn off the voice acting; it’s pretty bad!

Disney Speedstorm

Want a fun Mario Kart-like game without having to resort to emul??ation? Disney Speedstorm is a g?reat free-to-play substitute. The tracks are immaculately designed and based on the films we know and love like Lilo & Stitch, Aladdin, and Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ll be avoiding pillars of fire within the Cave of Wonders and giant tentacles from sea monsters in Port Royal. While the items are disappointingly generic for a Disney game like this, there is a neat alternate use for most of them by holding down the button. For example, with a boost (mushroom), you can hol?d it to get three smaller bursts of speed rather than?? just one. Read my review for more information.

Marvel Snap

Everyone knows and loves the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so a card game based on the property could be a cheap cash-in. Fortunately, Marvel Snap is a cherished title for fans of card games, and it's free to play. "At work and at home, I just can’t put it down," said CJ Andriessen in his review. "With its structure and speed, it doesn’t feel as tactical as some of the other card games I’ve played, but it finds a way to be satisfying in its brevity." Each match in Marvel Snap also only lasts for three or so minutes, as opposed to Hearthstone, making this quick and easy to play.

Path of Exile

Path of Exile, despite it being a free Steam game, is an excellent alternative to the Diablo series if you crave more ARPG goodness. It features a tonne of passives to unlock through the huge skill tree system. It also includes plenty of classes, including the Duelist, Marauder, Ranger, Scion, Shadow, Templar, and Witch. Path of Exile will offer hours upon hours of? content for the low, low price of $0, and it also has PvP modes like tournaments and Capture The Flag.

Team Fortress 2

A cherished multiplayer game for many Team Fortress 2 is an absolute classic. This team-based shooter has?? you playing different roles. One can be the Heavy, dealing a lot of damage with his mini-gun. Another player can send out Sentries and Teleporters throughout the map as the Engineer. There are many options available, so you can find the right playstyle. Despite the game being over a decade old, it still holds up visually with a cartoony art style. Give it a go if you haven't already.

The Sims 4

Living out your dreams as a Sim doesn't necessarily sound fun, but The Sims 4 somehow sucks you in for many hours at a time. You're building your own house, family, and wealth in the game which will feel rewarding. You also grow relationships with other sims by hanging out with them and performing a variety of activities in the community. All of this is now free to play on Steam, so go ahead and download The Sims 4, if you want a chill simulation game to play.

Warframe

It's been a decade, but Warframe still pulls in players today. This game is extremely fast with powerful guns and delightful swordplay. It's been supported thoroughly by developer Digital Extremes. The game added an open world, and there is spaceship warfare to be had. The art style is also unabashedly st?r??ange as it embellishes its sci-fi genre with pride.

Omega Strikers

The precision of the MOBA gameplay of League mixed with the sport of soccer doesn??’t sound like a great mix, b?ut Omega Strikers certainly proved me wrong. Each character has their own skills to master while you’re trying to score a goal. You can even take out your foes with your abilities b??y striking them out of the arena. The graphics are gorgeous, the concept really comes through, and the head-bump-worthy music will keep your heart racing. Check this game out!

Splitgate

If you thought Halo Infinite’s multiplayer was disappointing, give Splitgate a go. This arena shooter offers cool weapons to control and a unique mechanic that lets you use portals to shoot through or t??eleport with. In my opinion,? the maps are far more interesting than their Xbox-published counterpart. There are many modes to choose from as well, and you can create Custom Lobbies with all manner of rules available, including Big-Head mode.

DC Universe Online

We've all wanted to step into the shoes of Batman and Superman, and you can get that power fantasy by creating your own hero or villain in DC Universe Online. Behind it is over a decade of content with plenty of DC stories and experiences to encounter in this free-to-play MMO. Some of the quests are written by DC comic legends Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman. Unlike others of its genre, the combat's fast and revolves around your choice of superpower. The game might be 13 years old, but it's still getting Very Positive reviews on Steam to this day.

PlanetSide 2

PlanetSide 2 is a massive FPS that spans across wide environments and many players against each other. It's not just about capturing points on a map like the Battlefield series. Instead, Daybreak Game Studios says "The core gameplay of PlanetSide 2 is about holding crucial territories and controlling resources." It also says you'll have to work "strategically as a team to secure tactical positions has long-lasting effects that can shift the tide of battle." There are six different classes to master as well as you go to war in PlanetSide 2.

Super Animal Royale

Want a fresh spin on the battle royale genre? Well, you can play this cute take on it as you play as animals picking up weapons and trying to be the last remaining. Super Animal Royale features unique 2D bird's eye view angle on the action. The action gets wild with bombs of different types, grenades, and dart guns, in addition to the regular guns you'd expect like a shotgun or SMG. You have a fun, slightly less intense night with Super Animal Royale than the likes of Apex Legends, ??which needs precision in a reflex-based first person-shooter.

Previous entries:

• Multiversus (enough said)
• Smite
• Halo Infinite multiplayer
• The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
• Goose Goose Duck
• DOTA 2
• Star Wars: The Old Republic

The post 18 best free games on Steam right now appeared first on Destructoid.

The hustlin' and bustlin' MultiVersus crew is back with new features on the horizon, as the latest developer update unveils the next step in the action-packed journey. The fighting game has certainly gone through some highs and lows, especially with its open beta shutting down prior. But after a year out of the arena, Multiversus will be released on May 28, 2024.

During the developer update, Tony Huynh, Game Director and Co-Fou??nder of Player First Games, discussed new characters and maps. In it, he states, "I'm happy to say we'll be adding some really exciting, brand-new personalities to the roster." Fans speculate on who these mysterious characters could be, from Scooby-Doo to the Joker.

Multiversus' visual department improves significantly with Unreal Engine 5, bringing more details to character designs. Compared to its Unreal Engine 4 version, I could definitely see a difference in the brief snippet we got. Wonder Woman's beta form didn't necessarily do her justice previously. But fortunately, the character lighting?? and shading seem more fitting for Princess Diana now.

Other than visuals, Player First Games finely tunes its new netcode to convey more precise movements. More and more fighting games continue to tweak and perfect this framework, as we've seen in Dragon Ball FighterZ and Street Fighter 6. There's nothing worse than executing a punch only fo?r it to be delayed during a hectic online showdown. So, it's pleasing to see another brawler get another fresh update for those nice and smooth movements.

Although Multiversus primarily showcases a competitive P??vP, a new PvE has entered the battlefield. What this entails is unknown, yet we know it will introduce unique challenges and rewards. In the coming weeks, more information will be disclosed to give u??s the lowdown on its launch, all to gear up for its May release.

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Of course, you realize this means war...

Publisher Warner Bros Games and developer Player First Games have officially called time on both Wabbit Season and Duck Season �The extended "beta" for platform fighter MultiVersus has been officially taken offline, bringing brings an end to one of the most questionable fighting game debuts in recent history. MultiVersus is cu??rrently expect??ed to relaunch in "early 2024".

The free-to-play scrapper's servers are closed, ending a bizarre "test" phase that simultaneously had multiple seasons and additional paid DLC characters, skins, and stages. While MultiVersus players still have access to local Vs. matches and the fighter’s training mode, (known as “The Lab�, the community is now unable to play online in any capacity. Additionally, the studio has already noted that no refunds will be offered for any items purchased during the beta te?st, or the paid "Founder's Edition" of the title.

//twitter.com/mul?tiversus/status/1671966638000709645?s=20

Until the game's eventual relaunch, Player First Games is unlocking every character of the MultiVersus roster. While this could be seen as a form of damage control for the bizarre handling of the title, it no doubt leaves players who had invested their money in the title wondering why they even bothered. These players cannot enjoy the fighter online anymore, and now the characters/skins/content they purchased with real money are now readily available to everybody for the foreseeable future.

The MultiVersus story is morbidly curious. Launching its open beta in July 2022, the title saw incredible success out of the gate, and still holds the Steam record for the most concurrent players of a fighting game in history, as well a reported 20 million total downloads. This was mostly deserved, as MultiVersus is a fun and enjoyable fighter with plenty of character and charisma. Dataminers would also discover solid evidence of some big plans, which included some interesting DLC characters, alternate commentators, and placeholders for franchises such as The Goonies and The Wizard of Oz.

But, as the weeks and months passed, the beta's playercount fell off in staggering fashion, as the more dedicated members of the community were left frustrated by a lack of both content and communication, both of which became sparse by the end of 2022. When 2023 rolled around, the success of the previous summer seemed a distant memory. And, come spring, Player First Games announced that it would close the servers ahead of the title's still-undesignated launch. This left the MultiVersus community with?? myriad questions. Why was?? DLC even sold? Why were additional skins, stages, and modes developed? Why even launch a beta in seasons, with paid content if it was, in essence, just a testing phase?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvborgKG7fw

But the big questions, hanging over the situation like a fucking vulture, are When is it coming back, Is it coming back, and Who is it coming back for? If MultiVersus ended its testing phase as, essentially, a "dead game", then why would Warner Bros. have any interest in committing time, money, and marketing into a relaunch? We don't live ??in an era where publishers release games simply because "They owe it to the community" or just because "They said they would". We arg??uably never have.

The whole scenario reeks, and only time will tell how this MultiVersus scenario plays out. Either the fun fighter returns, in which case it has to essentially reignite the interest of a market that has already left it in the dust, or it gets quietly canned, in which case it dis??appears like a thief in the night, holding the cash of those players that showed passion and support in the project and its future.

At this point, MultiVersus essentially has no choice but to continue on its road to release. But, when that release comes, the franchise is essentially starting from scratch all over again. The casual audience has long moved on from the excitement of that r??ecord-breaking summer, while the brand's dedicated, money-paying audience understandably feels somewhat abandoned at best and ripped off at worst.

That's all, folks?

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Multi-Ple mistakes were made

MultiVersus was always a risky venture. I mean, so many Smash-likes have risen and died since the brawler that started it all(er) came out on the Nintendo 64: but if you're going to shove Batman, Superman, Shaggy Rogers, Game of Thrones (?!), Tom and Jerry,?? and more into the same game, you better back it up with quality and support. Oops!

As we found out yesterday rather unceremoniously, MultiVersus is going on ice for the time? being. ?Sounds vague doesn't it? Well, it definitely is a weird situation.

When a live service game ends, the very first thing I look into (even before the final service date) is whether or not the player base is getting refunds. When a game (or service) catastrophically fails, the answer is usual??ly yes. But for many AAA publishers, you get the classic "hey we gave it a go, you agreed to the TOS" response.

MultiVersus is doing things a little differently. Here's what they shared on their official site:

"This announcement does not change any current refund policies or terms offered by the storefront(s) from which Founder’s Packs or Gleamium bundles were purchased. For more information, please visit the customer support pages for PlayStation, Xbox, Steam and Epic Games. Additionally, refunds are not available as a result of the Open Beta closure. However, all progress and previously earned or purchased content will carry over when MultiVersus returns in early 2024."

Oh good, so it'll carry over "when" the game returns: no reason to doubt ?that statement in 2??023.

When will MultiVersus come back, and will it actually come out in 2024?

With all of the troubles befalling WB and all its subsidiaries at the moment: who knows?! Black Adam and Shazam 2 just bombed at the box office, and the DC cinematic universe is in shambles as James Gunn attempts to rebuild it, seemingly using box office receipts as threats for who gets to come back. That's not even counting the issues with any number of WB properties currently under the MultiVersus umbrella: a certain scientific duo included.

It's a risky move to tell its player base "trust us to come back in nearly a year," but it's the path they've chosen nonetheless. Hopefully this thing actually comes out, or if it's canceled, refunds are issued then.

The post You’re on the hook for MultiVersus refunds – Um, what? appeared first on Destructoid.

That's All Folks!

Player First Games has announced that it will be taking its cartoon crossover fighter MultiVersus offline this June �The open?? beta, which first launched in July of 2022, will be closed down ahead of the title's official launch, which is now tentat??ively set for "early 2024."

"Throughout our Open Beta, we’ve been working hard to build the best gameplay experience, and we appreciate all of the inspiration you’ve given us. Our Open Beta has been an important learning opportunity for us and a stepping stone to the next phase of MultiVersus."

"We know there’s still a?? lot of work to do. As a result, we have a clearer view of what we need to focus on, specifically 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."

//twi??tter.com/multiversus/status/1640383551974825984?s=20

The FAQ notes that all purchased content will carry over into the main game, but refunds will not be issued for any items, battle pass contents, or either DLC that players have purchased during the past year's beta phase. Following the server closure on June 25, 2023, players will still have access to local Vs. matches and the fighter's trai??ning mode, known as "The Lab". Player First Games suggests that?? the relaunch will see the arrival of new modes, features, and characters.

MultiVersus is available in open beta now until June 25, 2023 on PlaySta?ti?on, PC, and Xbox platforms. Player First Games expects to relaunch the title in early 2024.

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What, indeed, is up, Doc?

Player First Games has released a new update for its fun and chaotic crossover fighter MultiVersus, but f?ans hoping for new stages, characters, or balance updates?? will have to keep waiting, as this update seems purely focused on bug fixes and hit/hurtbox tweaks.

The new update, available now on all platforms, includes a handful of fixes for various characters, including hitbox improvements on Iron Giant, bug fixes on Garnet, stat tracker fixes on LeBron, and down special fixes for Morty. Unfortunately, there's little more in the way of gameplay tweaks, character balancing, or additional characters, stages, or fixes. This has seen players getting more than a little shouty on social media. Something which never, ever happens in gaming communities.

Launched in open beta in July 2022, MultiVersus got off to a magnificent start. Millions of players dove into its free-to-play, Super Smash Bros.-style shenanigans in local, online, and tournament scenes. The following weeks and months would see the arrival of new characters and stages, including DC Comics' anti-hero Black Adam, edgy cartoon stars Rick & Morty, and Gremlins' Stripe and Gizmo. But things have been very quiet for the past four months, with the November 2022 arrival of Marvin the Martian representing the?? most recent major content updat?e the fighter has received.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvbor??gKG7fw&ab_channel=WarnerBros.Gam??es

Now, of course, it should be reiterated that MultiVersus is in open beta mode, and as such, there is probably much going on behind the scenes in regard to the fighter's actual release. After all, there were inklings, (albeit unofficially) of some cool characters supposedly lined up for the roster. These included DC Comics' villain Joker, as well as movie characters such as Beetlejuice, The Goonies, and even The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch of the West.

The Warner Bros. IP catalog, which includes DC Comics, Mortal Kombat, The Lord of the Rings, Looney Tunes, and main other popular worlds and characters is, on paper, a gold mine of roster additions.

Fighting game communities are flighty and brutal mistresses: Hard to build, hard to maintain, and most certainly hard to recall, once their interest has wandered elsewhere. Hopefully MultiVersus �which is a fun scrapper �will be able to resurrect the excitement of its launch months, At this stage, MultiVersus needs "an event": Either an official launch date, a fresh front end/U.I. update, or a "Roadmap" (ugh) of incoming content. The shrinking player community needs?? evide??nce that the fighter has a future, and is not on the road to getting insta-canned by the Money Men, like so many free-to-play hits before it.

MultiVersus is availabl??e now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

Related: All MultiVersus Voice Actors Listed on PrimaGames

The post MultiVersus gets new update, but remains ??quiet on new?? content appeared first on Destructoid.

The Most Electrifying DLC in MultiVersus Today

Things have been a mite quiet in the world of MultiVersus since it began its second season, but the cartoonish brawler is happily ticking along, welcoming players into its marvelous mash-up of movie, comic book, and television stars. In fact, a new update launched today, bringing with it a new stage, a new character skin, and several fu?n, festive accessories.

First and foremost, "The Man in Black" skin is coming for DC anti-hero Black Adam, offering him the cinematic visage of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson from the recent DCU movie �(which may, apparently, be part of the final hurrah for this incarnation of the troubled big screen series). Alongside Black Adam, a new stage has arrived, based on the sword-swinging series Game of Thrones. The new stage comes complete with a rendition of the show's theme, and finally gives launch character?? Arya Stark a place to call home.

Lookit her! What a cutie pie!

Getting into the holiday spirit, MultiVersus has also launched a limited-time event known as "FestiVersus". For the coming weeks, pl?ayers will be able to ??????????????????????????earn special cookies in battle, which can be exchanged for a variety of festive profile items and accessories, including avatars, stickers, and ring-out effects. Additionally, a selection of "Ugly Sweaters" will be available for some of the roster, ensuring that everyone is feeling the holiday spirit, whether they'd like to or not.

The new MultiVersus update launches today on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. Unfortunately, it seems that this will be the only pl?ace where you'll see Black Adam battle Superman anytime soon.

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Lookit his lil' legs!

There's a new gun in town in Player First Games' madcap smack-'em-up MultiVersus, as classic Looney Toons character Marvin the Martian joins the roster a??s t??he first DLC combatant of Season 2. Marvin is available to purchase today on all platforms for 3000 Gold or 700 Gleamium.

Debut??ing in the 1948 Bugs Bunny cartoon Haredevil Hare, Marvin the Martian is a diminutive intergalactic warrior w?ith a bad attitude and an amusingly bureaucratic voice. Marvin would appear in several shorts with Bugs, but is perhaps best known for his ongoing, decades-long feud with Daffy Duck's space-age alter-ego, Duck Dodgers.

As a foil to both Bugs Bunny and Duck Dodgers, Marvin is recognized by his fast-moving legs and his tendency to get "verrrrry angry indeed" when things are not going his way. He would later appear in multiple Warner Bros. shows and movies including Taz-Mania, Animaniacs, Space Jam, Pinky and The Brain, and Tiny Toon Adventures. Marvin even pops up in 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

??//twitter.com/multiversus/status/15947566468?02100226?s=20&t=Jh5eBO4zmOcR29pu7XSaQg

An Assassin class character, Marvin the Martian moves with speed and fluidity, balanced out by his low health. Marvin's iconic B-23 Bubble Blaster is at hand to fire awkward, bubble-based projectiles, while his K-62 Projectile Modulator is a handheld device that actually alters the direction of enemy projectiles... That's pretty novel??. Finally, Marvin has a "ground pound" attack in the form of "In the Name of Mars", which sees him slam a flag into the ground, conquering Earth and sending nearby opponents sky?ward.

What a fun adaptation of the character, can't wait to check him out. Marvin the Martian is the 23rd character to appear in MultiVersus, more characters, modes, and features are expected as the season rolls out, (with several characters already appearing in various datamine reports over the course of Season 1).

MultiVersus is no??w in open beta on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

The post Marvin?? the Martian gets verrrry angr?y in MultiVersus today appeared first on Destructoid.

Did you bag Brunhilde Bugs?

[Update: Player First Games has announced that Marvin the Martian is coming to MultiVersus in season 2. You have made him very angry... Very angry indeed. A Game of Thrones stage is also in the works.]

Player First Games has completed the first season of its crossover scrapper MultiVersus, with the free-to-play fighter making quite a splash in its opening months. Still essentially in open beta �despite its run of conten??t drops and tournaments �Season 2 will bring new modes, characters, st??ages, and more.

MultiVersus Season 2 is getting off to something of a quiet start, wi??th no immediate announcement regarding new characters, but today will see the title get a brand new Battle Pass, which will now no longer feature any empty tiers. Somewhat suspiciously, the patch notes point out that the developer has "Tuned the number of points required to complete each tier so that the Battle Pass feels both engaging and rewarding." Hmm...

As always, some exclusive skins await those who commit to the grind, with "Baker Street Tom & Jerry" featuring as the Tier 50 prize for the Free Pass and Maestro Bugs Bunny as the Tier 50 prize for the Premium Pass. Another Bug??s Bunny grand prize? Ain't he a stinker? Players picking up the Premium Pass will unlock the fun "Astronaut Velma" skin immediately.

Season 2 also brings with it the arrival of the in-game store, filled with goodies to spend your hard earned... erm... "Gleamium" on. These include a fresh run of charact??er skins including "Samurai Batman", "Evil Morty", and *checks notes* "Uncle Shagworthy". The intro tut??orial has also been overhauled, simplifying some steps and adding a voiceover. Additionally, the even more madcap "Silly Queue" has received new modifiers, including an amusing Big Head mode.

From an under-the-hood stance, MultiVersus Season 2 has introduced Multi-Path Traffic Acceleration to help improve online stability, and there is a fresh run of balance tweaks for several maps and fighters. Unfortunately, there is no word on any of the new characters that will be arriving over the course of Season 2 �with several characters already appearing in various datamine reports over the course of Sea??son? 1. Hopefully, we'll get word of the new crossover contenders very soon.

MultiVersus i??s now in open beta on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms.

The post MultiVersus Season 2 kicks off today, Marvin ??the Martian coming soon (Update) appeared first on Destructoid.

Crossover Carnage Continues

Those currently swingin' mallets and tossing pies in the madcap world of MultiVersus will be given the opportunity to go for the b??rass ring real soon, as Player First Games has kicked off the first test period for the brawler's long-awaited Ranked Mode.

As of 09:00 PT / 12:00 ET / 18:00 BST, players will be able to jump into the temporary Alpha, which will be offering up a full week of ranked play in order for the developer to test the ins and outs of the new system. Ranked Mode will see players' win/loss ratio count toward an overall leaderboard standing, a feature that much of the MultiVersus community has ??been asking for some time now. Of course, standard multiplayer battles will also remain available during the course of Ranked alpha and beyond.

//twitter.com/multiversus/status/1589769965418479618?s=20&t=dst2IvLN8u4PHydF??fU_gbg

MultiVersus, which currently remains in an Early Access status, has recently closed out its first season of content with the arrival of DC Comics anti-hero Black Adam. The crossover brawler has been pretty successful with critics and players right out of the gate, though currently battles myriad free-to-play games, of multiple genres, in its bid for audience retention. Player First Games has done a grand job in providing frequent updates for the fl?edgling fighter, though has struggled socially in the face of player impatience �much of which has been completely unwarranted.

While we are yet to receive any details pertaining to Season 2, there have already been multiple datamines suggesting some of the upcoming characters that might be waiting to join the roster. MultiVersus' second season will likely be something of a watershed moment for the game, ultimately delivering the under-the-hood fixes and gameplay content that will make or break the title in 2023 and beyond. Regardless, MultiVersus is a fun, if chaotic scrapper, and is deserving of futur?e? success.

MultiVersus is now in Early Access on PlayStation, PC, and Xb?ox platforms.

The post MultiVersus Ranked Mode alpha kicks off today appeared first on Destructoid.

The *other* kind of Avenger

[Update 2 (10/31): The delayed MultiVersus 1.05 update will officially launch later today. Black Adam, Arcade Mode, "Silly Queue", Space Jam skins, and a fresh balance update will be made available on all platforms in the coming hours. For full details, check out the official MultiVersus blog and patch notes.]

//twitter.com/multiversu??s/status/15861?37313565847553?s=20&t=kVAOwJMagoAKuGLgJf1kkA

[Update: It's MultiVersus tradition! Player First Games has announced that the Black Adam update is not ready for launch, and a rescheduled release date will be announced in the?? near future.]

//twitter.com/m?ultiversus/status/1585389242897039360?s=20&t=v-QyKPSJDUbljfQFmIuGpw

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