NetEase Reassures Fans: Marvel Rivals Dev Team Layoffs Won't Halt Game

NetEase, developer of the successful mobile game Marvel Rivals, has announced layoffs affecting its Seattle-based design team. Game director Thaddeus Sasser revealed the news on LinkedIn, expressing surprise given the game's recent success. Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter, has surpassed 20 million downloads since its December launch and boasts significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.

Sasser's team, responsible for game and level design, provided guidance and strategic direction for the title. NetEase confirmed the layoffs in a statement to IGN, citing "organizational reasons" and the need to optimize development efficiency. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, NetEase emphasized that the layoffs will not affect ongoing support for Marvel Rivals. The game's core development team, based in Guangzhou, China, under Lead Producer Weicong Wu and Game Creative Director Guangyun Chen, remains committed to delivering new content and features. NetEase assures players of continued investment in the game's evolution.

This latest round of layoffs follows a pattern of reduced overseas investment and studio closures by NetEase, including the shuttering of U.S. and Japan-based studios like Ouka Studios (developer of Visions of Mana). Previous actions include pausing operations for Worlds Untold and the cancellation of Jar of Sparks.