Warner Bros. Discovery revealed that its free-to-play fighting game, MultiVersus, has underperformed alongside its broader video game division. This announcement coincided with the reveal of two new characters joining the crossover brawler.
As reported by IGN, MultiVersus contributed another $100 million to the existing $200 million write-down from earlier this year. This follows the disappointing launch of Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which underperformed sales expectations despite poor reviews. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav acknowledged the gaming division’s struggles during an earnings call, stating it has been “substantially underperforming.” However, he emphasized the company’s focus on four key brands: Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC (with a specific mention of Batman).
Raven holding a raven while floating off the ground in Multiversus.
In the recent financial quarter, Warner Bros. Discovery released only one new game, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. The company continues to support titles like Mortal Kombat 1 and MultiVersus and is reportedly developing a director’s cut of Hogwarts Legacy. Given the success of Hogwarts Legacy as the top-selling game of 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery plans to further leverage the Harry Potter IP, including a sequel aligned with the upcoming HBO series.
Zaslav stated, “We’re through some of the worst — and it hasn’t been pretty on the gaming business — but we have four games that are really powerful and have a real constituency that love them, and we’re going to focus on those four primarily. We’re going to go away from trying to launch 10, 12, 15, 20 different games. I think we have a real chance now with focus to have the gaming business be steadier.”
New Characters and Game Modes for MultiVersus Season 4
The earnings call coincided with the announcement of new characters for MultiVersus Season 4, launching on November 12th. Titled Midnight Misfits, the season will introduce Marceline from Adventure Time and Raven from DC. Raven will be available at the season’s start, with Marceline arriving later. The season concludes on January 21, 2025.
Season 4 will also introduce a new arena mode featuring 2v2 team matches with a total of eight teams competing. Two new maps are also planned.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Continued Commitment to MultiVersus
Despite the game’s financial performance, Warner Bros. Discovery remains committed to MultiVersus. The game aligns with the company’s focus on established IPs, and the recent acquisition of developer Player First Games further solidifies this commitment.
MultiVersus – Official Raven “Too Dark to Care” Gameplay Trailer
This continued investment suggests that Warner Bros. Discovery sees long-term potential in MultiVersus, even amidst the challenges facing its gaming division. The focus on core IPs, coupled with new content and game modes, aims to revitalize the game and attract a larger player base.
