Warner Bros. acquires MultiVersus developer Player First Games

Warner Bros. Games has acquired the MultiVersus developer Player First Games for an undisclosed amount. The platform fighter developer is now readying for MultiVersus‘ second season of content, set to make its debut this week on July 23, 2024.

Player First Games is now a part of Warner Bros.

In an official press release, WB Games announced its acquisition of Player First Game. Studio Co-Founders Tony Huynh and Chris White (also Head of Technology) will report to Carlos Barbosa, Vice President and Studio Head of Warner Bros. Games San Diego.

“We have worked with Player First Games over several years to create and launch MultiVersus, and we are very pleased to welcome this talented team to Warner Bros. Games,” said president of Warner Bros. Games David Haddad. “The bright and creative team at Player First Games adds to our extensive development capabilities.”

One reason behind the Player First Games acquisition by WB Games is cited as a smoother integration process between the studio and the publisher, perhaps with better communication surrounding its IP or faster production time to release upcoming characters quicker. Huynh also explained that “having [their] development team integrated with the publisher is optimum for the players.”

Samurai Jack and Beetlejuice are around the corner

Season 1 included four characters: The Joker, Jason Voorhees, Banana Guard, and Agent Smith. The rollout has been relatively slow, however, as Agent Smith is about to launch for everyone nearly two months after the game’s release on May 28.

Season 2, so far, will give us the cartoon classic Samurai Jack, along with the grotesque ghosty Beetlejuice, who seem to be in the game for promotional reasons as a sequel film heads to theatres this September. The Wizard of Oz‘s Wicked Witch and Scooby-Doo have also appeared in the artwork for upcoming MultiVersus comics launching later this year (via Bleeding Cool), so it’s likely they’ll arrive in the platform fighter shortly.

Warner Bros. Games also owns NetherRealm Studios, the Chicago developer that makes the Mortal Kombat series, so Player First Games has great company in the fighting game space. Seeing Sub-Zero clashing with Batman and Steven Universe sounds riveting.