NetEase, the developer behind the successful mobile game Marvel Rivals, has announced layoffs affecting its Seattle-based design team. The cuts, attributed to "organizational reasons" and efficiency optimization, were announced by game director Thaddeus Sasser on LinkedIn. Sasser and his team, responsible for game and level design, were let go despite the game's significant success.
Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter, boasts over 20 million downloads since its December launch and impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. This unexpected news has sparked shock and criticism within the gaming community.
NetEase's statement confirmed the layoffs but didn't disclose the exact number of employees affected. The company emphasized its commitment to continued support for Marvel Rivals, assuring players that the core development team in Guangzhou, China, remains intact and actively developing new content, including characters, maps, and features. This reassurance comes amidst a broader trend of NetEase scaling back on overseas investments and closing studios in the U.S. and Japan. Recent examples include the closure of Ouka Studios (Visions of Mana) and the pausing of operations for Worlds Untold and Jar of Sparks. The layoffs at NetEase underscore the fluctuating nature of the video game industry, even for successful titles.
