In a surprising turn of events, Second Dinner, the developer behind the popular game Marvel Snap, has officially severed ties with its former publisher, Nuverse. This decision comes in the aftermath of Marvel Snap being abruptly removed from app stores due to the recent Bytedance TikTok ban. Second Dinner announced via their official Twitter that they are now partnering with the US-based publisher Skystone Games, marking a significant shift in their publishing strategy.
The move caps off a tumultuous period for games published by Nuverse and other Bytedance subsidiaries, including titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Marvel Snap. These games were unexpectedly affected by the TikTok ban initiated a few weeks ago. Bytedance's strategy to withhold access to popular apps prompted then president-elect Donald Trump to promise the restoration of service. While TikTok was quickly reinstated without major issues, other gaming apps were left in a precarious position.
Second Dinner, in particular, was caught off-guard by the sudden removal of Marvel Snap from app stores. The developer spent several weeks attempting to restore service, highlighting the disruptive impact of Bytedance's actions on their operations. The swift transition to Skystone Games suggests that Nuverse is facing significant repercussions from developers due to the fallout from the TikTok ban.
It's not surprising that Second Dinner chose to part ways with Nuverse. While Bytedance's strategy to protect TikTok may have been successful, it likely alienated many developers whose games were disrupted in the process. The rapid change in publishers indicates that Nuverse is grappling with substantial backlash from the developer community.
While it's tempting to delve into the broader geopolitical implications, it's more relevant to consider whether Bytedance's focus on preserving TikTok has undermined its ambitious plans in the gaming industry. Second Dinner's decision to switch publishers certainly suggests that this might be the case.
For those eager to return to playing Marvel Snap, be sure to check out our tier lists for a helpful refresher on the game's current meta.
