NetEase Games has laid off US-based developers from the successful Marvel Rivals team. This article details the layoffs and the upcoming Season 1 update.
NetEase's Strategic Shift Impacts North American Studios
Marvel Rivals US Devs Laid Off by NetEase
On February 19, 2025, Thaddeus Sasser, director of Marvel Rivals, announced on LinkedIn that he and other California-based developers had been laid off by NetEase Games. He noted the irony of the layoffs following the game's successful launch, stating, "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 proactively began promoting his former team members on LinkedIn, seeking new employment opportunities for them. He highlighted the skills and contributions of individuals like Garry McGee, the game's technical designer, emphasizing McGee's problem-solving abilities and technical expertise. Sasser's commitment to helping his team find new roles underscores the impact of the unexpected layoffs.
NetEase's Controversial North American Moves
Marvel Rivals was developed by teams in China and Seattle. Sasser's team focused on game and level design. Despite their crucial role, the layoffs highlight the broader industry trend impacting even successful game projects. While NetEase offered no official explanation, a Bungie employee suggested a potential withdrawal from the North American market. This follows NetEase's previous actions, including withdrawing funding from Worlds Untold in November 2024 and ending its partnership with Jar of Sparks in January 2025.
Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update: Second Half
New Heroes, Maps, and Balance Changes
Marvel Rivals' YouTube channel (February 19, 2025) announced the second half of Season 1, featuring new heroes, maps, balance adjustments, and tournaments. The update introduces The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four roster, and a new map: Central Park, now featuring Dracula's castle.
Lead combat designer Zhiyong detailed balance changes effective February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). These include adjustments to energy costs for characters with quick ultimate recharges (like Cloak & Dagger and Loki), reduced survivability for certain Vanguard characters (Doctor Strange and Magneto), and nerfs to overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight. A planned rank reset was ultimately reversed due to player feedback. Further details on this can be found in a related article.
