MultiVersus was July’s bestselling game despite being free-to-play

By Joseph Yaden Published August 19, 2022

Free-to-play fighting game MultiVersus was July 2022’s bestselling game in the United States, as revealed by market research company The NPD Group.

Although the game is free, its optional, paid Founder’s Packs “fit into the full game sale bucket,” according to NPD’s Mat Piscatella. This is noteworthy since NPD tracks dollar sales, not the number of copies sold.

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There are three versions of the MultiVersus Founder’s Packs, including the Standard version for $40, Deluxe for $60, and Premium for $100. These special versions of the game offer Character Tokens, the Gleamium in-game currency, and other goodies.

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MultiVersus came out ahead of Elden Ring — which has consistently topped the charts since its launch in February 2022 — along with Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Digimon Survive, and even evergreen Nintendo titles Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Much like Super Smash Bros., MultiVersus is a platform fighter, in which players must knock their opponents from the stage to secure a victory. It launched on July 19 and comes from developer Player First Games, with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment serving as publisher.

MultiVersus has clearly taken the industry by storm thanks to its satisfying gameplay and varied roster. The game is comprised of characters that fall under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella, including Batman, The Iron Giant, Finn and Jake from Adventure Time, and LeBron James from Space Jam: A New Legacy. It’s gearing up to feature additional characters, as well, with some leaks pointing to the inclusion of Harry Potter, Beetlejuice, and even Fred Flintstone.

You can download the game for free right now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Joseph Yaden is a freelance journalist who covers Nintendo, shooters, and horror games. He mostly covers game guides for…

Gaming

MultiVersus to shut down in June ahead of relaunch in 2024

Batman holding Shaggy.

MultiVersus' Open Beta is getting shut down on June 25, but the game isn't shutting down for good. Instead, developer Player First Games and publisher WB Games are taking MultiVersus offline ahead of a planned relaunch in early 2024.
MultiVersus - Open Beta Update
The fighting game, which is Warner Bros. version of Super Smash Bros., launched last year to some acclaim from fans and critics. Despite an initial wave of popularity, the game's active player base tanked in 2023, dropping by 99% at one point. Now, the game will largely go offline while the developers work towards an official 1.0 release. Game director Tony Huynh explained the unusual move in a video and FAQ detailing what's next.
"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," says Huynh. "We’ll also be reworking the progression system and looking at new ways for players to connect with friends in the game ... 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."
After June 25, those who have MultiVersus downloaded will only be able to play offline modes like training and local multiplayer. The game will no longer be available to download and premium currency Gleamium will no longer be available for purchase after April 4. To compensate, MultiVersus' Season 2 battle pass is being extended until March 25, and all purchased items and progression will be carried over to next year's launch.
While players got the impression that MultiVersus was going to stay live from open beta through its 1.0 launch, that is apparently not the case. Hopefully, Player First Games and WB Games stick to their word and do eventually re-release the game, as it could be better with some much-needed improvements.
MultiVersus' Open Beta ends on June 25, with the full game's launch slated for early 2024.

Gaming

Multiversus’ 99% player drop is a lesson in how not to make a free-to-play game

Bugs Bunny holding a pie in Multiversus.

When Warner Brothers' Super Smash Bros.-like fighting game Multiversus launched last year, it was an immediate success. Players flocked to the free-to-play game in its first few months, battling it out as their favorite WB characters. It seemed like the publisher had a rare hit on its hand, breaking through to the mainstream with a genre that's long been painted as a difficultyniche with a high barrier for entry.

MultiVersus - Rick Reveal

Gaming

MultiVersus adds Marvin the Martian and Game of Thrones stage in Season 2

MultiVersus Season 2 key art

MultiVersus season 2 has just begun, and Warner Bros. Games and Player First Games have announced a couple of new additions to the game: Marvin the Martian and a new stage based on Game of Thrones.

Marvin the Martian is the third Looney Tunes character to be added to the MultiVersus fighters roster after Bugs Bunny and Taz -- or fourth if you include LeBron James from Space Jam: A New Legacy. The polite alien will come with his trademark Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator explosive device, powerful blaster, and spaceship-summoning abilities. His full move set will be revealed at a later time.