MultiVersus burst onto the platform-fighter scene in July 2022, giving players the chance to battle using characters from various WB-owned studios, including Cartoon Network, HBO, DC, and Adult Swim. So far, MultiVersus' roster has mostly included predictable characters taken from recent IPs. As the success of the platform-fighter is heavily reliant on a title's ability to consistently add new and exciting characters, WB started teasing popular fighter options for MultiVersus' Season 2. However, the future of MultiVersus, and its continued success, may rely on the addition of more unusual or surprising characters from WB's extensive library.
Much of MultiVersus' roster is made up of modern fan-favorites. Multiple characters from Adventure Time, DC, Steven Universe, and Scooby-Doo appear. It appears that WB has been introducing fighters that promote its releases elsewhere, making future announcements seem fairly predictable. Even seemingly-unique characters like Gizmo and Stripe have a reason for their inclusion, as WB was set to release a Gremlins prequel series in 2022. If MultiVersus wants to emulate the success of its most-popular competitor, Super Smash Bros., it would benefit from building a reputation for big fighter announcements that surprise its player base.
MultiVersus' Recent Updates Were Underwhelming
MultiVersus' January 2023 Update made changes to fighter and level balancing in response to fan feedback. Despite being appreciated by some, it was just the newest in a string of underwhelming updates for the game. Since its launch, the game has steadily lost players, and WB appears to be slowly adjusting its update frequency and format to reverse this trajectory. Its approach to fighters, in particular, could use the most work. Despite an extensive library spanning generations of content, MultiVersus has been sticking primarily to fighters from recent and upcoming projects, making their inclusion in the game feel predictable and targeted.
Season 2 of MultiVersus launched with the addition of Marvin the Martian as a playable fighter, but no other fighters have been announced since. Whereas Season 1 had a Fighter Roadmap, WB has kept future additions to the roster a secret, leading fans to speculate which fighters will be included in Season 2's remaining updates. It appears fan feedback could be playing a role moving forward. Game Director Tony Huynh recently gauged interest in the addition of Marceline on Twitter, tasking fans with choosing the fighter's outfit. Though Marceline would likely be welcomed by fans, she would be the third Adventure Time character on MultiVersus' roster, and the fifth if Fern and Cake are counted. This makes her fail to stand out.
MultiVersus Future Fighters Should Embrace WB's Vast Catalog
Since MultiVersus' launch, it has developed a diehard fanbase, due in no small part to its attention to detail and consistent quality-of-life updates. Even greater recognition for the title came when MultiVersus won Best Fighting Game at 2022's Game Awards, an accolade that cemented its place as a major title entering 2023. MultiVersus should use this credibility to build its future around more diverse and unusual fighters. With no apparent connection to WB's film and television releases, certain characters could signal WB's own recognition of MultiVersus as one of its major projects and overcome past criticisms of fighters being released as promotional material.
Fans of MultiVersus are already hard at work promoting their personal choices for unique fighters, with some even creating their own unique character concepts. Recently a MultiVersus fan revealed their concept for a playable Audrey 2 by posting a character page for the murderous plant on the game's subreddit. Audrey 2 is just one of many unique and surprising characters that could come to the game in Season 2 and beyond, should WB choose to change its approach to fighter inclusion; many still hold out hope that Walter White will join the battle one day. As the game continues to lose players, but gain accolades, now is the perfect time to transition the title into its next phase and ensure its longevity in the platform-fighter landscape.
MultiVersus is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.