Summary
Marvel Rivalspublisher NetEase has addressed the recent layoffs that hit one of the game’s development teams and offered additional insight into the situation.Marvel Rivalshas been a big hit so far, managing to gain over 10 million players just a few days after it launched in full on Jul 17, 2025 and showing little sign of slowing down. Earlier this week,Marvel Rivalsconfirmed that The Thing and the Human Torch will finally be added to the game’s roster on February 21, and also gave players their first look at Blade.
Not all recentMarvel Rivalsnews has been great, however. Earlier this week,Marvel Rivalsgame director Thaddeus Sasserannounced that his US-based team had been laid off, the latest in a series of massive job terminations in the gaming industry over the past few years. The news came as a shock to many fans consideringMarvel Rivals’ near-overnight success, with players left wondering how these layoffs will affect future game content.
NetEase recently released a statement regarding theMarvel Rivalslayoffs toPC Gamer, confirming that the game’s Seattle-based development team has indeed been let go. The publisher described the decision as a difficult one that was made to “optimize development efficiency.” NetEase acknowledged thehard work of itsMarvel RivalsSeattle development team, which served as a support unit for the game’s core development branch in China. The publisher didn’t reveal exactly how many staffers were let go, but confirmed that there are no more Seattle-based developers actively working onMarvel Rivals.
NetEase Speaks Out About Marvel Rivals Layoffs
Marvel Rivals’ core Chinese development team hasn’t been affected by the recent layoffs, and NetEase reiterated that it is still committed to continuing its support forMarvel Rivalsby adding even more playable characters, maps, and other content with each new season. As stated before,Blade is set to arrive inMarvel Rivalsat some point, and a new Central Park map will be added alongside The Thing and Human Torch on February 21.
This is all bittersweet news for fans ofMarvel Rivals, as not even the highly successful and well-received multiplayer hero shooter is immune to the growing trend of video game layoffs that has cast a shadow on the industry over the past few years. Plenty of other companies have cut staff throughout February, including Bandai Namco,Rumbleversedeveloper Iron Galaxy,Smitepublisher Hi-Rez Studios,Crysisstudio Crytek, and most recently Liquid Swords.
Marvel Rivals
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel Rivals is a Super Hero Team-Based PVP Shooter!Assemble an all-star Marvel squad, devise countless strategies by combining powers to form unique Team-Up skills and fight in destructible, ever-changing battlefields across the continually evolving Marvel universe!A Deep and Varied Marvel RosterChoose from a vast array of fan-favorite and cult-classic Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains from across the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more from across the Marvel Multiverse.Fast and Fun 6v6 Action with Ever-Changing Game DynamicsWith intricate environments, fast-paced gameplay, and ever-changing battlefields, there’s never a dull moment in Marvel Rivals! Battle as Super Heroes and Super Villains with incredible abilities and combine your powers to bring unexpected fun to the battlefield in a matter of seconds.Dynamic Hero SynergyCoordinate unique combinations between characters to ignite surprising Team-Up Skills! Unleash the synergy of combined superpowers and invent new tactics that can turn the tide of combat. Ride on Groot’s back as Rocket Raccoon to take on your enemies as a dangerous duo, unleash Gamma energy as Hulk to charge Iron Man’s armor for massive damage, and so much more!Creative Environment DestructionTear your way through iconic Marvel worlds across destructible environments! From Asgard to the Tokyo of 2099, use superpowers to alter these environments, reshape the terrain, and craft a strategic advantage on the battlefield! Take cover to dodge attacks or use makeshift weapons to strike down enemies. Players will find countless ways to utilize the environment to claim victory!Continually Evolving Universe and Robust Post-Launch UpdatesThe Marvel Multiverse brings infinite possibilities! Each seasonal drop will introduce new Super Heroes to the battlefield along with challenging and diverse maps! Unlock new content to implement across various gameplay strategies while experiencing thrilling action and endless possibilities in these adventurous team battles!
