Marvel Rivals' Success Doesn't Stop NetEase From Firing Director and Other US Devs

NetEase Games' Layoffs Despite Marvel Rivals' Success: A Strategic Shift?

NetEase Games recently laid off US-based developers from its successful Marvel Rivals project, sparking controversy within the industry. This follows a pattern of NetEase seemingly scaling back its North American operations.

Layoffs Hit Marvel Rivals' US Team

Marvel Rivals' director, Thaddeus Sasser, announced on LinkedIn the layoff of himself and other California-based team members. This news came as a surprise, given the game's recent success. Sasser, however, is proactively using his LinkedIn profile to help his former colleagues find new employment opportunities, highlighting their skills and experience. He specifically praised Garry McGee, the game's technical designer, recommending him highly to potential employers.

NetEase's Shifting North American Strategy

Marvel Rivals was a collaborative effort between NetEase's Chinese and Seattle-based teams. While the Seattle team played a crucial role in game and level design, the layoffs suggest a broader strategic shift by NetEase. Although NetEase hasn't commented publicly, industry rumors suggest a potential withdrawal from North America. This is supported by previous events, including the withdrawal of funding from Worlds Untold and the termination of the partnership with Jar of Sparks.

Marvel Rivals Season 1 Update: Part 2

Despite the layoffs, Marvel Rivals continues to receive updates. The second half of Season 1 introduces new heroes (The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four), a new map (Central Park with Dracula's castle), balance adjustments, and tournaments.

Lead combat designer Zhiyong detailed the balance changes, including energy cost increases for characters with rapid ultimate recharge, adjustments to Vanguard character survivability, and nerfs to overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight. A planned rank reset was later removed due to player feedback.

The juxtaposition of Marvel Rivals' continued success and NetEase's layoff decisions raises questions about the company's long-term strategy in the North American market. The future of NetEase's presence in the region remains uncertain.