MultiVersus, the free-to-playSuper Smash Bros.-like fighting game featuring characters from multiple major Warner Bros. franchises, is nearing its full launch. Up until now, developer Player First Games has focused on showcasing fighters like Shaggy ofScooby-Doo, Harley Quinn of the DC Universe, and even Arya Stark ofGame of Thrones. Now it’s time to take the next step. The release date ofMultiVersus' Early Access launch, as well as the start of its Open Beta, have now been confirmed.
Early Access is planned to be a sort of soft launch forMultiVersus' Open Beta, a way for Player First Games andWarner Bros.to test the waters and built up momentum for the fighting game before Open Beta arrives. It will officially start on July 19 and will be restricted in access. Those with initial access will include those invited to the previousMultiVersusClosed Alpha, as well as chosen Twitch streamers and content creators. As Early Access progresses, new players can join via Twitch Drops. Just watch an officially-supported Twitch streamer for 60 minutes for an invite.
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Those not interested in earning a Twitch Drop won’t have to wait long to play, however. The fullMultiVersusOpen Beta will unlock on July 26, just a week after Early Access begins. For now, there is no announced end date for theMultiVersusOpen Beta. Game director Tony Huynh has previously confirmed that theMultiVersusOpen Beta will remain open permanently, barring the discovery of any “really awful bugs.”
Details regarding what content will be available during Early Access and the Open Beta have also been shared. 16 characters will be featured in the upcomingMultiVersusreleases, including therecently revealed Iron Giant. 8 maps are also included in Early Access, including the Batcave,Adventure Time’s Tree Fort, and Scooby’s Haunted Mansion. As for game modes, there will be 2v2 co-op matches, 1v1 matches, 4-player free-for-all, co-op vs. AI matches, custom online lobbies, and also The Lab practice mode and tutorials. There’s even support for 4-player local multiplayer, in case players want to hold their own competitions.
Don’t forget thatMultiVersusalso has several key technical features that are increasingly expected of fighting games in the modern gaming era. That meansMultiVersus' Early Access and Open Beta havefull cross-play support and server-based rollback netcode. Players across the world can expect to have stable matches regardless of platform.
Early Access forMultiVersusstarts July 19, with access earned via Twitch Drops, and Open Beta will be available for all players starting July 26.MultiVersusis a free-to-play game, so it’s available with no up-front price. What that will mean long-term regarding monetization and progression remains to be seen, but it will be exciting to see what Player First Games has in mind.
MultiVersusreleases in 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
