Warner Bros. Games has announced that MultiVersus, its free-to-play brawler, will be shutting down its online multiplayer mode after the conclusion of its fifth and final season. The season, which starts on February 4th, will run until May 30th, 2025, after which players will only be able to access the game's offline features, including AI opponents and local co-op.

The decision marks the end of MultiVersus' live service, which has been struggling to maintain a player base since its initial launch in 2022. Despite a relaunch in May 2024, which added new characters from Warner Bros. Discovery's intellectual property, the game's player count continued to dwindle.

In preparation for the shutdown, Warner Bros. Games has also announced that in-game purchases will be ending, effective immediately. Players will no longer be able to buy Gleamium, the game's virtual currency, although they will still be able to use any remaining Gleamium or character tokens until the end of season five.

To ensure continued access to the game's offline features, players will need to download the latest version of MultiVersus and log in during season five. This will create a local save file connected to their PlayStation, Microsoft, Steam, or Epic Games account, allowing them to enjoy the game offline with all earned and purchased content moving forward.

The fifth and final season of MultiVersus will introduce the game's last two characters, Aquaman and the Looney Tunes' Lola Bunny. While the shutdown of MultiVersus' online multiplayer is a significant blow to the gaming community, the decision is part of a larger trend of live service games struggling to maintain momentum.

In recent months, Sony has shut down Concord, canceled two unannounced live service projects, and XDefiant servers are set to go offline in June. The shift away from live service games highlights the challenges of maintaining a consistent player base and the need for game developers to adapt to changing market trends.

The shutdown of MultiVersus' online multiplayer serves as a reminder of the importance of game preservation and the need for developers to provide players with continued access to their games, even after online support has ended. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how developers will address the challenges of live service games and prioritize game preservation.