In a recent development, NetEase, the Chinese gaming firm, has initiated layoffs within its Marvel Rivals team, a decision that has stirred conversations in the gaming community. The news first emerged on LinkedIn, where Thaddeus Sasser, the game’s director, shared the unfortunate update regarding the US development team, despite the game’s notable success in the market.
Organizational Adjustments and Commitment to Excellence
NetEase has since confirmed the layoffs affecting the Seattle-based Marvel Rivals team in a statement provided to PC Gamer. A spokesperson for the company articulated the rationale behind this decision, stating, “We recently made the difficult decision to adjust Marvel Rivals’ development team structure for organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency for the game.”
The spokesperson further elaborated that this restructuring led to a reduction in the design team located in Seattle, which is part of a broader global design function supporting Marvel Rivals. They expressed gratitude for the efforts of those impacted, emphasizing a commitment to treating them with confidentiality and respect, acknowledging their individual contributions to the project.
Interestingly, the changes have not extended to the Chinese development team, which remains intact. NetEase reassured stakeholders of its dedication to providing an exceptional gaming experience. “We’re excited to deliver new superhero characters, maps, features, and content to ensure an engaging live service experience for our worldwide player base,” the statement concluded, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to its audience.
