NetEase Games has recently made headlines by laying off the US-based developers of Marvel Rivals, despite the game's success. This article delves into the details of these layoffs and provides an overview of the upcoming updates 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, announced on LinkedIn that he, along with other California-based developers, had been 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!"
Despite the setback, Sasser remained proactive, using LinkedIn to help his former team members find new employment. He highlighted the skills of Garry McGee, the game's technical designer, praising his technical prowess and proactive problem-solving abilities. Sasser's endorsement included a strong recommendation, saying, "If I had a role I'd hire him again instantly."
Sasser's efforts to support his team suggest a commitment to ensuring they find new opportunities, showcasing his leadership even after the layoffs.
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, while the Chinese team managed other aspects of development. Despite their crucial contributions, the US team was not spared from the industry-wide layoffs.
NetEase has not provided a clear reason for these layoffs, but a Bungie employee suggested that the company might be scaling back its operations in North America. This speculation is supported by NetEase's recent decisions to withdraw financial support from Worlds Untold studio in November 2024 and to end its partnership with Jar of Sparks on January 7, 2025, leaving the latter to seek a new publishing partner.
Marvel Rivals Second Half of Season 1 Update
New Heroes, Maps, and More!
The second half of Marvel Rivals' Season 1 is set to launch with 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, the update introduces new heroes, maps, and balance adjustments.
The update features the official reveal of The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four lineup. A new map, Central Park, has been added, transforming New York's iconic park into a battleground featuring Dracula's castle.
Zhiyong detailed the balance adjustments planned for the game following the first half of Season 1, which concludes on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). Notable changes include increasing the energy cost for characters with quick ultimate recharge, such as Cloak & Dagger and Loki, to shake up the competitive meta. Additionally, 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 to be nerfed as the game progresses into the second half of Season 1.
One planned change that was ultimately scrapped was the rank reset, which would have dropped all players' ranks by four divisions. This decision was met with disappointment from fans, leading the developers to reconsider and remove this feature. For more details on this update, you can refer to this article.
