- Seasonal Evolution: Update 1.16 pioneered the “FestiVersus” model, introducing the first multi-tiered event currency (Holiday Cookies) that informed the current 2026 battle pass structure.
- Engine Foundation: The “Z-axis” hitbox experimentation for Finn in this patch served as the technical prototype for the comprehensive 2024 Unreal Engine 5 relaunch.
- Meta Shift: This update fundamentally altered Batman’s kit by removing the “Weakened” debuff from his Side Air Attack, a balance philosophy that persists in his modern competitive iterations.
For veteran brawlers looking back from the high-fidelity landscape of 2026, the MultiVersus Update 1.16 – Patch Notes on December 15, 2022, represent a pivotal moment in the title’s early lifecycle. This wasn’t merely a winter celebration; it was the crucible where Player First Games tested the technical and economic systems that would eventually sustain the game’s massive 2024 relaunch. From the introduction of the iconic Throne Room map to the experimental “Z-axis” hitbox adjustments, 1.16 remains a case study in live-service pivot points.
The FestiVersus Legacy: 2022 Economy vs. Modern Standards
While the 2026 version of the game utilizes a streamlined multi-currency system, the 2022 Open Beta relied heavily on Gold and early Gleamium pricing. FestiVersus introduced a 36-day login calendar and the “Holiday Cookie Shop,” a precursor to today’s Prestige Shop. Players earned cookies through matches, with “Variant” bonuses doubling the yield—a mechanic that has since been refined in titles like Marathon and its Summer 2026 meta analysis.
Archival Note: The 3,000 Gold requirement for the Game of Thrones Iron Throne Icon was one of the last high-tier Gold sinks before the currency was deprecated in the 2024 “Into the Multiverse” update.
| 2022 Holiday Shop Item | Original Cost | 2026 Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ugly Sweater Superman (Rare) | 12,000 Cookies | Prestige Rotation |
| Snowman Sledding Ringout | 5,000 Cookies | Seasonal Vault |
| The Man In Black (Legendary) | 2,000 Gleamium | Permanent Shop |
Technical Breakthroughs: Z-Axis and Hitbox Normalization
One of the most significant entries in the official MultiVersus patch archives is the experimental shift for Finn. Prior to 1.16, “Z-axis” registration often led to “phantom hits” where attacks visually connected but failed to register. The developers used this patch to strip arm and shoulder hitboxes from Finn’s sword, a granular level of detail that mirrors the complexity found in the latest Crimson Desert technical updates.
Map Spotlight: Game of Thrones Throne Room
Update 1.16 debuted the Throne Room, a map that prioritized verticality and dynamic environmental hazards. With walls that rose and fell, it forced players to master vertical ring-outs. In 2026, this map remains a staple of competitive play, though it has since received visual overhauls to match the Unreal Engine 5 aesthetic.
Character Meta Analysis: Significant Adjustments
Batman: The End of Weakened Dominance
The Caped Crusader saw a major rework to his Side Air Attack. By removing the “Weakened” debuff and increasing base knockback and scaling, the developers shifted Batman from a debuff-utility fighter to a high-risk/high-reward brawler. This was also the patch that fixed the “Precision Grapple” signature perk, which had historically performed the opposite of its intended function.
The Iron Giant “Moon Jump” Removal
Competitive integrity was a core focus of 1.16. The removal of Iron Giant’s “Moon Jump”—an exploit involving the interruption of upward momentum—standardized his aerial presence. Similarly, Jake’s “air stalling” was nerfed by reducing his float duration, preventing the passive playstyles that plagued the early 2022 Season 1 meta.
Quick Summary of Global Changes
- Dodge Logic: The “DODGED!” text was synced to lingering hitboxes to prevent visual-audio desync.
- Shocked Debuff: Modified to deal damage without breaking armor, increasing the viability of “Tank” characters.
- Platform Optimization: Legacy support improved for Xbox One and PS4, stabilizing frame rates on Sky Arena.
Archival Conclusion
Looking back, Update 1.16 was the moment MultiVersus began to outgrow its “Open Beta” label. The lessons learned here—specifically regarding how seasonal currency motivates engagement and how Z-axis registration affects combat feel—became the blueprint for the game’s eventual dominance in the platform fighter genre. While characters like Black Adam and Stripe have seen dozens of adjustments since 2022, their core mechanical identities were solidified during this snowy December update.
