NetEase, the developer behind the successful mobile game Marvel Rivals, has announced layoffs affecting its Seattle-based design team. Game director Thaddeus Sasser revealed the news on LinkedIn, expressing surprise given the game's recent success. Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter, has surpassed 20 million downloads since its December launch and boasts impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam.
Sasser's LinkedIn profile indicates his team played a crucial role in the game's design and development. NetEase confirmed the layoffs in a statement to IGN, citing "organizational reasons" and a need to optimize development efficiency. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, NetEase emphasized that the layoffs won't impact ongoing support for Marvel Rivals. The game's core development team, based in Guangzhou, China, remains fully committed to delivering new content and features, including new characters, maps, and gameplay enhancements.
This latest round of layoffs follows a pattern of reduced overseas investment and studio closures at NetEase. The company previously closed studios in the U.S. and Japan, including Visions of Mana developer Ouka Studios. Other projects, such as Worlds Untold and Jar of Sparks, have also faced setbacks or closures involving NetEase.
