Despite the soaring success of Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games has made the surprising decision to lay off the game's US-based developers. Dive into the details of this unexpected move and get a sneak peek at 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, shared on LinkedIn that he, along with other developers based in California, had been let go by NetEase Games.
"This is such a weird industry," Sasser remarked. "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 remained proactive, using LinkedIn to advocate for his former colleagues, saying, "Oh well! Times are tough all over - Let's find these incredible people new jobs, because we all need to eat, right?"
He highlighted the skills of Garry McGee, the game's technical designer, noting, "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 praised McGee’s abilities, stating, "If I had a role I'd hire him again instantly," and expressed his commitment to helping his team find new opportunities.
NetEase, Despite Its Success, Made Controversial Moves in North America
Marvel Rivals was crafted by two teams: one in China and the other in Seattle, USA. Sasser's team focused on game and level design, yet their crucial contributions did not shield them from the layoffs sweeping the industry.
NetEase has not disclosed the reasons behind the layoffs, but rumors from a Bungie employee suggest the company might be scaling back operations in North America. This follows NetEase's decision to withdraw financial support from Worlds Untold studio in November 2024 and end its partnership with Jar of Sparks on January 7, 2025, leaving the latter to seek new publishing partners.
Marvel Rivals Second Half of Season 1 Update
New Heroes, Maps, and More!
As Marvel Rivals gears up for the second half of Season 1, the game is set to introduce new heroes, maps, balance adjustments, and tournaments, as announced on the game's YouTube channel on February 19, 2025. The update, led by creative director Guangguang and lead combat designer Zhiyong, promises thrilling additions.
The Fantastic Four lineup will be complete with the addition of The Thing and Human Torch. A new map, Central Park, will also be added, featuring Dracula’s castle as a dramatic backdrop.
Zhiyong announced that balance adjustments will follow the conclusion of Season 1’s first half on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). Notable changes include increasing the energy cost for characters with fast ultimate recharges, such as Cloak & Dagger and Loki, to shake up the competitive scene. Some Vanguard characters like Doctor Strange and Magneto will see reduced survivability, while movement-type Vanguards will receive boosts. Overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight are set for nerfs.
One planned change, a rank reset that would have dropped all players’ ranks by four divisions, was met with fan disappointment and has been scrapped. For more details on this decision, check out this article!
