If there's one thing that dominated the news over the weekend, it was undoubtedly the temporary ban of TikTok in the United States. Following a congressional act labeling it as a "foreign adversary controlled application," the ban came into effect on Sunday, leaving millions of users in limbo. However, the situation quickly reversed when president-elect Donald Trump pledged to restore the service, and ByteDance swiftly reinstated TikTok. Yet, the story doesn't end there.
Other ByteDance applications, including popular games like Marvel Snap and Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, were also pulled from the U.S. market. The message from ByteDance was clear: take all of their offerings or none at all. This decision left developers like Second Dinner, the creators of Marvel Snap, in the dark and scrambling to manage the fallout on social media. They've since promised to bring the game back online swiftly, but the incident raises significant concerns about the stability of their partnership with ByteDance.
Catch!ByteDance's strategic move to highlight Trump as TikTok's potential savior was a masterstroke, sparking widespread discussion and ultimately allowing them to return to the U.S. market with a bang. However, this political maneuvering has left other ByteDance ventures, particularly in the gaming sector, in a precarious position. Second Dinner, for instance, is now offering lucrative free rewards to compensate players for the downtime, hoping to restore service by the time of publishing.
While it's unlikely that Second Dinner will sever ties with ByteDance over this incident, the lack of communication and apparent prioritization of social media over gaming could erode trust. It sends a clear message that ByteDance values its social media empire more than its gaming ventures.
Game overThis isn't the first time ByteDance has shown a preference for its social media operations. In 2023, their gaming division faced massive layoffs, canceling numerous projects before they could launch. Since then, Marvel Snap seemed to signal a shift towards partnerships rather than in-house development. However, this breach of trust could deter other developers and publishers from aligning with ByteDance, fearing they might be caught in the next political crossfire.
Disney, too, must be feeling the impact. The recent release of NetEase's Marvel Rivals, which boosted mobile gaming with a crossover event, now faces uncertainty. ByteDance may have outmaneuvered politicians, but the fallout could make players, developers, and IP holders wary.
They think it’s all over…The situation with ByteDance might just be the beginning. Other Chinese gaming giants like Tencent and NetEase could be next in line for scrutiny. The FTC has already targeted MiHoYo over loot boxes, and this high-profile incident might not be enough to deter future political attacks on gaming.
For Marvel Snap players, the sudden ban was a wake-up call, especially for those indifferent to TikTok. ByteDance's gamble paid off, but it sets a troubling precedent. As gaming becomes increasingly subject to political whims, the stability of this entertainment sector could be at risk, echoing the old adage about bread and circuses, which might backfire spectacularly for all involved.
