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 Developers 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, "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 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. While Sasser's team played a crucial role in game and level design, the layoffs highlight the broader industry trend affecting even successful games. NetEase hasn't publicly commented on the layoffs, but industry speculation suggests a potential withdrawal from North America. This is supported by 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: Part Two
New Heroes, Maps, and Balance Changes
Marvel Rivals' Season 1 continues with a new update featuring new heroes, maps, balance adjustments, and tournaments, as announced on their YouTube channel on February 19, 2025. The update introduces The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four roster, and a new map: Central Park, featuring Dracula's castle.
Lead combat designer Zhiyong detailed balance changes implemented after the first half of Season 1 concluded on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). These include adjustments to energy costs for characters with quick ultimate recharge, survivability tweaks for Vanguard characters, and nerfs to overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight. A planned rank reset was later scrapped due to player feedback. For more details on the rank reset reversal, check out [this article]!
