As an analyst, if I had been overly optimistic about the gaming industry’s job market, I must now acknowledge a new wave of layoffs, this time impacting NetEase Games, the developer behind Marvel Rivals. Affected employees have shared their experiences on LinkedIn, revealing that the entire Seattle-based North American team working on the game has been let go.
Jack Burrows, the former level designer, expressed that it was a tremendous joy collaborating with his American colleagues during our shared challenging period. It seemed unavoidable, even with the significant triumph we achieved together.
Marvel Rivals is a project that’s been nurtured by teams spread out across the United States and China. Unfortunately, the specifics about today’s layoffs are still hazy, but it seems that the Chinese development team will now be responsible for managing the entire game going forward.
Marvel Rivals made its debut in December 2024, swiftly climbing the ranks to become one of the top five most-played games in the U.S. on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam, according to Mat Piscatella, executive director at Circana. At present, the game is in the midst of its inaugural season, featuring the Fantastic Four as playable characters.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that NetEase Games is disbanding several North American game development studios they had been supporting, such as Humanoid Origin and Worlds Untold. These teams were established by veteran BioWare members, Casey Hudson and Mac Walters, respectively.
Reaction: What are we doing?
Not too long ago, I couldn’t help but express my delight over Marvel Rivals making such a splash in the gaming scene. It’s truly remarkable how a fresh live service game like this can carve out its niche amidst today’s competitive market landscape. Frankly, it’s heartening to see new blood entering the fray after a series of disappointments with several games in recent times.
Observing this situation, it’s hard not to feel distressed as events transpire, and it can be perplexing trying to comprehend it. Once again, my sympathies go out to those who are impacted.
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2025-02-18 23:09