NetEase Fires Director and US Devs Despite Marvel Rivals' Success

NetEase Games has made headlines by laying off the US-based developers of Marvel Rivals, despite the game's impressive performance. Dive deeper into this unexpected move and get the scoop on the exciting updates planned for the second half of Marvel Rivals' Season 1!

NetEase's Strategic Shift Impacts North American Studios

Marvel Rivals US-Based Devs Laid Off by NetEase

On February 19, 2025, Thaddeus Sasser, the director of Marvel Rivals, shared on LinkedIn that he and other California-based developers were let go by NetEase Games. Sasser expressed his bewilderment at the situation, 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 took the opportunity to advocate for his former team members, seeking new opportunities for them. 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 noted, adding that he would hire McGee again in a heartbeat if he had the chance.

Sasser's proactive approach in pitching his team members on LinkedIn suggests a commitment to helping them find new employment amidst these challenging times.

NetEase's Controversial Moves in North America Despite Success

Marvel Rivals, a collaborative effort between teams in China and Seattle, USA, showcases the crucial role Sasser's team played in the game's design and development. Yet, this did not shield them from the layoffs sweeping the gaming industry, even for successful titles.

NetEase has kept silent on the reasons behind the layoffs, but a Bungie employee hinted at the company's potential withdrawal from North America. This speculation aligns with previous actions, such as NetEase's decision to withdraw financial support from Worlds Untold in November 2024 and severing ties with Jar of Sparks on January 7, 2025, leaving the latter to seek a new publishing partner.

Marvel Rivals' Exciting Update for the Second Half of Season 1

New Heroes, Maps, and More!

The second half of Season 1 for Marvel Rivals promises to be thrilling, with new heroes, maps, balance adjustments, and tournaments on the horizon. This update, announced on February 19, 2025, via the game's YouTube channel, is led by creative director Guangguang and lead combat designer Zhiyong.

Fans can look forward to the addition of The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four lineup. A new map, Central Park, will also be introduced, transforming New York's famous green space into the backdrop for battles against Dracula and his castle.

Zhiyong announced that balance adjustments will follow the first half of Season 1, which concludes on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). Notable changes include increasing the energy cost for characters with fast ultimate recharge, such as Cloak & Dagger and Loki, to shake up the competitive meta. Additionally, some Vanguard characters like Doctor Strange and Magneto will see reduced survivability, while movement-type Vanguards will receive a boost. Overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight are slated for nerfs as the game transitions into the second half of Season 1.

An initially planned rank reset, which would have dropped all players' ranks by four divisions, was met with fan disappointment. In response, the Marvel Rivals team decided to scrap this update, showing their commitment to listening to the community's feedback. For more details on this decision, check out the related article!