Second Dinner, the developer behind the popular mobile game Marvel Snap, has severed ties with its former publisher, Nuverse. The studio has announced a new partnership with US-based Skystone Games. This move follows the tumultuous events surrounding the temporary removal of Marvel Snap from app stores in the aftermath of the Bytedance (TikTok's parent company) controversies.
The recent upheaval affected several titles published by Nuverse and other Bytedance subsidiaries, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. These games were caught in the crossfire of the TikTok ban a few weeks ago, a situation that saw Bytedance attempt to preemptively remove its apps, a move that was later reversed following intervention. While TikTok's reinstatement was swift, the fallout for other Bytedance-associated games, including Marvel Snap, was more protracted. Second Dinner reported not being informed of the game's removal and spent considerable time working to restore its availability.
A Strategic Shift
Second Dinner's decision to part ways with Nuverse is unsurprising given the circumstances. The unpredictable removal of Marvel Snap likely damaged the relationship, highlighting the risks associated with partnering with a publisher embroiled in such significant geopolitical events. The rapid shift to Skystone Games suggests significant internal upheaval within Nuverse and potential fallout with other developers.
While the broader geopolitical implications are noteworthy, the key question is whether Bytedance's actions have jeopardized its gaming ambitions. Second Dinner's move strongly suggests this is the case.
Ready to jump back into the action? Check out our tier lists for Marvel Snap to get up to speed!
