Online play for Dead or Alive 5 Last Round delayed on PC after 'major issues' with beta

Developer Team Ninja has delayed an update that adds online multiplayer to the Windows PC version of fighting game Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, citing "major issues" that cropped up during the game's online beta test.

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round launched on PC through Steam in March — originally the PC port was planned for February — but without online multiplayer. Team Ninja said it would add online functionality in a patch within three months of release. Today is the last day of that three-month window, as Team Ninja notes in an update.

"We originally announced that we would release the update by the end of June 2015," the developer said. "However, due to major issues found during the beta test, we will be postponing the release of the update.

"We apologize for the last minute notification and regret deeply the trouble we have caused our Steam customers who were looking forward to the online functionality. We will update the website with a new release date as soon as it is set."

Team Ninja is keeping the beta test version of Dead or Alive 5 Last Round on PC available to players, but suggests that users revert to the offline version of the game if they're experiencing problems.

Dead or Alive 5 Last Round expanded upon the previous release of the game, Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, by adding two new characters — Raidou from the original Dead or Alive and newcomer Honoka — bringing the total roster to 34 fighters. Last Round also sees the return of two re-imagined stages: Crimson from Dead or Alive 2 and Danger Zone from Dead or Alive.