Mass Layoffs at Marvel Rivals as NetEase Reassures Players

NetEase, the developer behind the successful mobile game Marvel Rivals, has announced layoffs affecting its Seattle-based design team. The cuts, attributed to "organizational reasons" and efficiency optimization, were announced by game director Thaddeus Sasser on LinkedIn. Sasser and his team, responsible for game and level design, were unexpectedly let go despite the game's significant success.

Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter, has achieved over 20 million downloads since its December launch and boasts impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. The gaming community reacted with surprise and criticism to the layoffs given the game's popularity.

NetEase confirmed the layoffs in a statement to IGN, but declined to specify the number of employees affected. The company emphasized that the layoffs will not impact ongoing support for Marvel Rivals, as the core development team remains in Guangzhou, China, under the leadership of Lead Producer Weicong Wu and Game Creative Director Guangyun Chen. NetEase reiterated its commitment to expanding the game with new content and features.

This is the latest in a series of layoffs at NetEase, reflecting a broader strategic shift away from some overseas investments and studio closures in the U.S. and Japan. Previous closures include Ouka Studios (Visions of Mana) and the halting of operations for Worlds Untold and Jar of Sparks.