Marvel Rivals Director and Entire Seattle Design Team Laid Off, NetEase Tells Fans Not to Worry About the Game

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. The gaming community reacted with surprise and criticism to the layoffs given the game's popularity.

NetEase confirmed the layoffs in a statement to IGN, but declined to specify the number of employees affected. The company emphasized that the layoffs will not affect ongoing support for Marvel Rivals, as the core development team remains based in Guangzhou, China, under the leadership of Lead Producer Weicong Wu and Game Creative Director Guangyun Chen. NetEase reiterated its commitment to the game's future, promising new content and features.

This is the latest in a series of layoffs at NetEase, reflecting a broader shift in the company's strategy regarding overseas investments. Previous actions include the closure of U.S. and Japan-based studios, and a pause of operations for Worlds Untold after a partnership split. The company also previously shut down Jar of Sparks earlier this year. The situation highlights the fluctuating nature of the video game industry and the challenges faced by developers operating in global markets.

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