MultiVersus is already one of the most eclectic platform fighters out there in terms of roster by mashing up a bunch of different Warner Bros. media properties, but now they’re about to dial the weird meter up a few more notches with a different type of crossover.
To apparently help promote the game’s upcoming return and full release, a number of the MultiVersus cast will be literally taking over an NHL game this weekend with the team match ups decided.
The MultiVersus NHL Face-Off is set to take place this Sunday, April 14, at the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
How they’re pulling this off is apparently some sort of alternate telecast of the game with MVS characters mirroring the actions of the actual pro hockey players, so they’ll be doing all the same moves and shots, just with cartoon and comic book characters.
The #NHLonTNT panel breaking down which character will be the MVP of the #MultiVersus NHL Face-Off pic.twitter.com/hP8WXGfjJO
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 4, 2024
According to the official statement, “MultiVersus NHL Face-Off will merge two different tracking technologies — NHL EDGE positional data (NHL Puck and Player tracking) and Hawk-Eye Innovations optical tracking to generate realistic character and player avatar movements to best represent the movements of the NHL players on the ice. The real-time animation will be produced in association with NHL innovation partner Beyond Sports.”
They even recently held a draft for the teams to pick their star lineup, and although the full thing doesn’t appear to be online, there are some clips.
Bugs Bunny, good locker room guy… “glue guy”… will be suiting up for the Vegas Golden Knights in the #MultiVersus NHL Face-Off pic.twitter.com/vK1AeyJ9xk
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 7, 2024
Superman was chosen by the Avalanche as their number one pick followed by Batman for the Golden Knights.
The rest of Colorado’s team consists of Scooby-Doo’s Velma, Steven Universe and Adventure Time’s Finn the Human while Las Vegas is coming in with Bugs Bunny, Wonder Woman and Shaggy.
Looney Tunes’ Tasmanian Devil will also be present to officiate the game and drop the puck.
The rosters for the #MultiVersus NHL Face-Off are set
Watch the MultiVersus NHL Face-Off on April 14 at 3:30pm ET, exclusively on TruTV and Max pic.twitter.com/125sRBvMVH
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 7, 2024
Considering Space Jam is already a real thing and LeBron James himself is in MultiVersus, you’d think an NBA game would be the place for a sports crossover, but maybe the tech just isn’t there yet like they’re trying to push for the NHL.
Combined with the recent McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion, it seems MultiVersus is trying to get the attention of the younger audience for the game’s upcoming re-launch though we’re not sure how much of the youth is going to be interested in pro hockey.
MultiVersus is set to make its full launch after almost a year away on May 28 with new characters, modes, netcode and more promised compared to its beta version.
The MultiVersus NHL Face-Off can be watched this Sunday through truTV or Max (which may or may not require the B/R Sports Add-on) starting at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET.
