NetEase Fires Director and US Devs Despite Marvel Rivals' Success

NetEase Games has made the surprising decision to lay off the US-based developers of Marvel Rivals, despite the game's success. Here's a detailed look at the situation and what's in store 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 developers based in California, were 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 is actively supporting his former team members in finding new employment. He shared a heartfelt recommendation for Garry McGee, the game’s technical designer, on LinkedIn. "During the course of the project, Garry was fantastic to work with. This is a highly technical designer - currently working in level design, but I've seen his passion project! - who is a proactive problem solver." Sasser praised McGee's skills and expressed a desire to rehire him if given the chance.

Sasser's proactive approach to helping his team find new jobs highlights his dedication and the value he places on his former colleagues.

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 faced layoffs as part of broader industry trends and NetEase's strategic shifts.

NetEase has not provided specific reasons for the layoffs, but a Bungie employee suggested that the company might be scaling back its presence in North America. This follows NetEase's decision in November 2024 to withdraw financial support from Worlds Untold studio, and the termination of its partnership with Jar of Sparks on January 7, 2025, which left the studio seeking a new publisher.

Marvel Rivals Second Half of Season 1 Update

New Heroes, Maps, and More!

The second half of Marvel Rivals' Season 1 is set to introduce 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, this update will bring new heroes, maps, and balance adjustments.

The update includes the official reveal of The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four lineup. A new map, Central Park, will also be introduced, featuring Dracula's castle as a prominent landmark.

Zhiyong detailed upcoming balance adjustments following the end of the first half of Season 1 on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). Notable changes include increased energy costs for characters like Cloak & Dagger and Loki to balance their quick ultimate recharge. Some Vanguard characters, such as Doctor Strange and Magneto, will see reduced survivability, while certain movement-type Vanguards will be boosted. Overpowered heroes like Storm and Moon Knight will be nerfed as the game progresses into the second half of Season 1.

An initially planned feature, the rank reset, which would have dropped all players' ranks by four divisions, was met with fan disappointment and has been removed from the update. For more details on this change, you can refer to this article.