Marvel Rivals dev ‘investing more, not less’ into game despite surprise layoffs
Despite the news of surprise layoffs on Tuesday, Marvel Rivals developer NetEase is “investing more, not less” into the title.
Recommended Videos
Launching on Dec. 6, 2024, Marvel Rivals has surged in popularity, attracting millions of players worldwide and providing them with regular content updates—including the upcoming mid-season patch that introduces The Thing and Human Torch as new characters.
Even that success couldn’t stop layoffs, however, with an unspecified amount of employers losing their roles from a design team based in Seattle that Netease says is “part of a larger global design function in support of Marvel Rivals.“
In a statement issued to Dot Esports, Netease said the “difficult decision” was made for “organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency of the game.” Those affected will be treated “confidentially and respectfully with recognition for their individual contributions.”
Though the layoffs caused concern among the community, Netease reassured fans that the title’s “core development team,” led by lead producer Weicong Wu and game creative director Guangyan Chen, “remains fully committed to delivering an exceptional experience.”
The statement added that the team is “investing more, not less, into the evolution and growth” of Marvel Rivals and is “excited to deliver new superhero characters, maps, features, and content to ensure an engaging live service experience.”
The layoffs at Netease continue what has been a troubling period for the gaming industry over the past two years. Thousands of employees have lost their roles at development studios across the world, leaving the job market flooded with experienced developers hunting for limited jobs.
Layoffs involving Marvel Rivals show that even success does not cement a future for employees in the industry. With news breaking around the same time as reveals took place for new heroes in the game, it’s certainly not a good look.