Get ready, gamers! MultiVersus from Warner Bros. is making a grand return this Tuesday, May 28, and it’s coming back better than ever! Inspired by Super Smash Bros., this platform fighter is getting a massive makeover. Next week, prepare for an expanded roster, stunning new visuals, and improved netcode that promises to make your online multiplayer experience just as smooth as playing with friends on the same couch, thanks to the efforts of developer Player First Games.
This isn’t just any update; the previous version was merely an open beta. With the official launch, a whole bunch of exciting changes is on the horizon. Stick around as we dive into what’s new and improved in the world of MultiVersus!
New fighters
Get ready to dive into the action-packed world of MultiVersus as Season 1 kicks off on May 28 with four sensational new characters! Confirmed to join the roster are DC’s iconic Joker, once again brought to life by the legendary voice of Mark Hamill, the quirky Banana Guard from Adventure Time, the terrifying Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, and the menacing Agent Smith from The Matrix.
Tony Huynh, co-founder of Player First Games and the game director for MultiVersus, shared some thrilling details with Polygon in a recent video interview. Huynh revealed that the Joker, a mage-type fighter, is packed with gadgets and brimming with nods to his storied past. “Fans of the Joker are going to be absolutely ecstatic,” Huynh promised. Joker’s introduction will add much-needed diversity to the game’s classes, making the player experience more varied and exciting.
Perhaps the most surprising addition is the Banana Guard from Adventure Time, given that Finn and Jake are already representing the series. Huynh explained that the inclusion of Banana Guard was driven by a passionate team member and serves as proof that “anything’s possible” in MultiVersus. “We aren’t just going to follow the predictable path,” he emphasized.
Players who complete the new tutorial will get Banana Guard for free at launch, along with the chance to unlock a Lady Banana Guard variant at no extra cost.
Jason Voorhees is set to shake things up as a new tank-class character, renowned for his imposing size, second only to the Iron Giant. Designing a viable large character was a tough challenge, but Huynh is confident they’ve nailed it. “We’ve found a great way to make big characters work in the fighting game genre,” he asserted.
You can unlock Jason Voorhees through the game’s Season 1 premium battle pass.
Details about Agent Smith remain under wraps, but the iconic Matrix villain will make his debut at some point during Season 1.
Hold on to your controllers, because MultiVersus Season 1 is shaping up to be an epic ride!
New visuals and new netcode
Player First Games has given MultiVersus a complete overhaul! They’ve upgraded the tech by moving from Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 4 to the powerful Unreal Engine 5. Get ready for stunning visuals, larger-than-life characters, and much-improved lighting effects.
But that’s not all! From a competitive angle, there’s some fantastic news—MultiVersus now features new multiplayer netcode, including the fighting game community’s favorite: rollback netcode. Player First Games breaks it down for you:.
Simply put, rollback netcode still sends player inputs back and forth, but each button press is accompanied by a precise timestamp, marking the exact moment of activation. This allows the client to reconstruct what would have happened had it received the input at the intended time. By leaping backward, then instantaneously simulating back to where you were, the game delivers an experience that feels smooth and enjoyable. With rollback netcode you’re seeing exactly the same thing as your opponent, meaning that their position and frames of animation are always updated to the most accurate position which continues to be predicted from there.
Huynh enthusiastically shared with Polygon that the game’s open beta phase was all about soaking up knowledge, and boy, did the dev team learn a ton! “Now we’ve got absolute world-class netcode,” he beamed, “so players can enjoy gaming with their friends from coast to coast, having an experience that feels almost offline.” After diving into a pre-release version of MultiVersus’ new netcode myself, I can say Player First has absolutely knocked it out of the park. Even matches spanning continents were unbelievably smooth and lag-free!
Rifts, a new PvE mode
Attention new MultiVersus warriors and those seeking a more relaxed competition—there’s exciting news on the horizon! Introducing rifts, where you’ll face off against computer-controlled foes in epic battles. These rifts are your gateway to seasonal challenges and juicy tidbits of the game’s unfolding story. Player First has shared some electrifying details about this fresh PvE mode. Check it out!
Each Rift will have a sequence of battles or challenges around a particular theme, whether it’s The Joker infiltrating the Batcave or Batman and Velma teaming up to decide who’s the best detective. These themes will be organized around seasonal “Attunements,” such as Chaos, for the Clown Prince of Crime that is joining our cast in season 1. The same way every MultiVersus battle is bubbling with character interactions, we wanted to make each Rift “uniquely MultiVersus,” every season.
Get ready for an epic adventure with Rifts! These new additions will include built-in cinematics and immersive story elements, featuring characters engaging in dynamic interactions and an array of exciting minigames. “It’s designed to offer a truly diverse and captivating experience,” Huynh shared enthusiastically. “Not only does it teach players how to play the game, but it also introduces them to a host of novel experiences.”
Player First is committed to continuously evolving and expanding Rifts. “If we can dream it, we can build it and deliver it to our players,” Huynh declared. With the game’s revolutionary netcode, you and your friends can dive into these new adventures cooperatively from start to finish!
New Currencies!
Exciting news for all MultiVersus fanatics! If you splurged on MultiVersus’ top-tier currency, Gleamium, during the open beta, rejoice! Your investment is safe. You can still use it for character unlocks and upcoming premium battle passes. Plus, any character tokens and battle pass tokens you snagged in the open beta? They’re yours to keep! Just a heads up, though: Player First and Warner Bros. won’t be offering those specific currencies anymore.
But wait, there’s more! As MultiVersus gears up for its grand relaunch, it’s not just about Gleamium anymore. We’ve got not one, not two, but THREE brand-new currencies coming your way:
- Fighter Currency: Battle it out in-game to earn this and unlock an all-star roster of fighters.
- Perk Currency: Keep playing to earn this currency and score perks. Think power-ups and buffs that supercharge your characters for those intense combats.
- Prestige Currency: This is for the true collectors and fashionistas of the MultiVersus universe. Every cosmetic item you grab adds to your Prestige currency based on its type and rarity. Save up enough, and you can unlock the crème de la crème of Prestige cosmetics—the rarest and most exclusive goodies!
And guess what? Even with this treasure trove of new currencies, MultiVersus will continue to be free to download when it relaunches! That’s right—whether you’re on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X, you can dive back in without spending a dime. The game’s monetization will come through premium battle pass purchases and direct buys of Gleamium.
Get ready to jump back into the fray and start collecting!
