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Despite Marvel Rivals achieving strong performance since launch, NetEase Games has reportedly laid off its U.S.-based development team. Learn more about this surprising move and what’s coming next in Season 1 of Marvel Rivals.
NetEase Strategic Business Shift Affects Studios in North America
Marvel Rivals US-Based Devs Laid Off by NetEase
Thaddeus Sasser, the director of Marvel Rivals, announced on his LinkedIn profile on February 19, 2025, that he and other California-based developers were laid off by NetEase Games.
“This is such a weird industry,” Sasser wrote. “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 disappointment, Sasser turned his focus toward helping his former teammates find new opportunities. He posted a supportive message aimed at potential employers, encouraging them to consider hiring members of his team. “Oh well! Times are tough all over—let's find these incredible people new jobs, because we all need to eat, right?”
Sasser started with Garry McGee, the game’s technical designer. “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.”
He continued by highlighting McGee’s strengths and strongly recommended him for future roles. Sasser even noted, “If I had a role, I'd hire him again instantly.”
Given Sasser’s commitment to advocating for his team, it appears he plans to spotlight each member individually, hoping to connect them with new career opportunities through his endorsement.
NetEase, Despite Its Success, Made Controversial Moves in North America
Marvel Rivals was co-developed by teams based in both China and Seattle, USA. Sasser’s team was primarily responsible for game and level design, while the Chinese division handled the broader development aspects. Despite their crucial contributions to the game’s success, they were not shielded from the ongoing wave of layoffs affecting the gaming industry—even for top-performing titles.
NetEase has not officially commented on the sudden layoffs. However, a Bungie employee hinted that the company may be scaling back operations in North America. In November 2024, NetEase withdrew funding from Worlds Untold, a studio led by a former Mass Effect writer. Then, on January 7, 2025, NetEase ended its publishing partnership with Jar of Sparks, leaving the developers to seek alternative publishing support.
Marvel Rivals Second Half of Season 1 Update
New Heroes, Maps, and More!
The second half of Season 1 in Marvel Rivals will introduce exciting new heroes, maps, balance changes, and competitive tournaments. This update was revealed via the game’s official YouTube channel on February 19, 2025, and led by creative director Guangguang and lead combat designer Zhiyong.
Among the highlights is the official introduction of The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four roster. Additionally, Central Park has been unveiled as the latest map for the season—bringing the iconic New York location into the game, now featuring Dracula’s imposing castle.
Zhiyong also detailed several balance adjustments following the conclusion of Season 1’s first half on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). One major change involves the triple-strategist lineup. While the current meta was praised, the developers aim to shake up the competitive scene by increasing energy costs for characters with fast ultimate recharge rates, such as Cloak & Dagger and Loki.
Additionally, survivability for some Vanguard characters like Doctor Strange and Magneto will be reduced, while movement-focused Vanguards receive buffs. Meanwhile, overpowered heroes like Storm, Moon Knight, and others are set to be nerfed as the game transitions into the next phase of Season 1.
One proposed mechanic—the rank reset, which would have dropped all players to four divisions—was removed after significant player backlash. Fans expressed disappointment with the idea, prompting the development team to scrap the feature entirely. For further details on this update, check out [this article].
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