NetEase Games has made the surprising decision to lay off the US-based developers of Marvel Rivals, despite the game's success. This article delves into the reasons behind these layoffs and highlights the exciting updates planned for the second half of Marvel Rivals' Season 1.
NetEase Strategic Business Shift Affects Studios in North America
Marvel Rivals US-Based Devs Laid Off by NetEase
On February 19, 2025, Thaddeus Sasser, the director of Marvel Rivals, announced on LinkedIn that he and other California-based developers were laid off by NetEase Games. Sasser expressed his frustration, stating, "This is such a weird industry. My stellar, talented team just helped deliver an incredibly successful new franchise in Marvel Rivals for NetEase Games...and were just laid off!"
Despite the setback, Sasser is actively seeking new opportunities for his former team members. He highlighted Garry McGee, the game's technical designer, praising his skills and dedication. "During the course of the project, Garry was fantastic to work with. This is a highly technical designer - currently working in level design, but I've seen his passion project! - who is a proactive problem solver," Sasser wrote, recommending McGee for future roles.
NetEase, Despite Its Success, Made Controversial Moves in North America
Marvel Rivals was developed collaboratively by teams in China and Seattle, with Sasser's team focusing on game and level design. Despite their crucial contributions, the US-based team faced layoffs amid NetEase's strategic shifts in North America. No official reason was provided by NetEase for the layoffs, but a Bungie employee suggested that the company might be scaling back its operations in the region. This follows NetEase's decision to withdraw financial support from Worlds Untold studio in November 2024 and terminate its partnership with Jar of Sparks in January 2025.
Marvel Rivals Second Half of Season 1 Update
New Heroes, Maps, and More!
As Marvel Rivals moves into the second half of Season 1, new content and updates are on the horizon. Announced on February 19, 2025, via the game's YouTube channel, the update will introduce new heroes, The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four lineup. A new map, Central Park, featuring Dracula's castle, will also be added to the game.
Lead combat designer Zhiyong announced balance adjustments to be implemented after the first half of Season 1 concludes on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). These changes include increasing the energy cost for characters with rapid ultimate recharge, such as Cloak & Dagger and Loki, and adjusting the survivability and movement of various Vanguard characters. Overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight will receive nerfs to balance the gameplay.
However, one planned change, the rank reset that would have dropped all players' ranks by four divisions, was met with fan backlash and subsequently removed from the update. For more details on this decision, you can check out this article!
