NetEase Fires Director and US Devs Despite Marvel Rivals' Success

Despite the success of Marvel Rivals, NetEase Games has made the surprising decision to lay off its US-based developers. This unexpected move comes as the game continues to thrive, and it's important to understand the implications and what's next for Marvel Rivals.

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!"

In response to the layoffs, Sasser has taken the initiative to help his former team members find new employment. He praised Garry McGee, the game's technical designer, for his skills and proactive problem-solving, urging potential employers to consider him. Sasser's commitment to supporting his team is evident as he plans to individually endorse each member to secure new opportunities.

NetEase, Despite Its Success, Made Controversial Moves in North America

Marvel Rivals was developed collaboratively by teams in China and Seattle, USA. Sasser's team focused on game and level design, playing a crucial role in the game's development. However, this did not shield them from the layoffs that have affected the game industry, even for successful titles like Marvel Rivals.

NetEase has not provided a clear explanation for these layoffs, but reports suggest that the company is scaling back its operations in North America. This follows the withdrawal of financial support from Worlds Untold in November 2024 and the termination of a partnership with Jar of Sparks on January 7, 2025, leaving developers to seek new publishing partners.

Marvel Rivals Second Half of Season 1 Update

New Heroes, Maps, and More!

The second half of Marvel Rivals Season 1 is set to bring exciting new content, as announced on the game's YouTube channel on February 19, 2025. Led by creative director Guangguang and lead combat designer Zhiyong, this update introduces new heroes, maps, and balance adjustments to keep the gameplay fresh and competitive.

The update features the addition of The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four lineup. A new map, Central Park, now includes Dracula's castle, adding a thrilling new environment for players to explore.

Zhiyong has also outlined significant balance adjustments post the first half of Season 1, which concluded on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). Notable changes include increasing the energy cost for characters like Cloak & Dagger and Loki to balance the quick ultimate recharge meta. Some Vanguard characters, such as Doctor Strange and Magnet, will see reduced survivability, while movement-type Vanguards receive a boost. Overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight are being nerfed to maintain competitive balance.

One planned change that did not make it into the update was the rank reset, which would have dropped all players' ranks by four divisions. Due to fan feedback, this mechanic was removed, showcasing the developers' responsiveness to the community's concerns. For more details on this decision, you can refer to this article.