NetEase has conducted “efficiency optimization” of the Marvel Rivals team, laid off some key developers

Released in December, the free-to-play hero shooter Marvel Rivals from NetEase Games reached 20 million players in just a week, but success does not guarantee employment – the development team was overtaken by layoffs.

Image Source: NetEase Games

Marvel Rivals development director Thaddeus Sasser announced on the business social network LinkedIn yesterday that he and the rest of his team were unexpectedly laid off.

«What a strange industry. My brilliant, talented team helped NetEase Games launch an incredibly successful new franchise with Marvel Rivals… and got laid off!” Sasser marvels.

Sasser’s team was responsible for game and level design on Marvel Rivals.

NetEase Games confirmed the layoffs in a statement to the media, but assured that they were limited to the Seattle office, which is part of the global design team supporting Marvel Rivals.

The cuts were made to “optimize development efficiency.” NetEase was quick to reassure fans that Marvel Rivals’ “core team” in the Chinese city of Guangzhou was still working on the game.

American team Marvel Rivals is not the first team outside of China to lose NetEase support

«We are investing more, not less, in the development and growth of this game. We are excited to introduce new superheroes, maps, features and content to provide an exciting service to our audiences around the world,” NetEase said.

Marvel Rivals was released on December 6, 2024 on PC (Steam, EGS), PS5, Xbox Series X and S. The game is currently in its first season, Eternal Night Falls, and a major content update is on the way (released February 21).