NetEase Fires Director and US Devs Despite Marvel Rivals' Success

Despite the resounding success of *Marvel Rivals*, NetEase Games has made the surprising decision to lay off its US-based developers, including the game's director, Thaddeus Sasser. On February 19, 2025, Sasser shared the news of his and his team's layoffs on LinkedIn, highlighting the irony of being let go after contributing to a successful new franchise. "This is such a weird industry," Sasser remarked, emphasizing the talent and dedication of his team. In response, he actively sought new opportunities for his former colleagues, starting with Garry McGee, the game’s technical designer, whom he praised highly for his skills and work ethic.

NetEase's move is part of a broader strategic shift away from North America, as evidenced by previous decisions to withdraw financial support from Worlds Untold studio and end a partnership with Jar of Sparks. This trend suggests a potential pullback from the region, despite the critical role played by Sasser's team in *Marvel Rivals*' development, which was co-developed with a team in China.

NetEase's Controversial Moves in North America

*Marvel Rivals* was developed collaboratively by teams in China and Seattle, with Sasser's group focusing on game and level design. Despite their significant contributions, the layoffs highlight the volatile nature of the gaming industry, even for successful titles. NetEase has remained silent on the reasons behind these layoffs, but reports from other affected studios suggest a strategic retreat from North America.

Marvel Rivals' Second Half of Season 1 Update

On a brighter note, *Marvel Rivals* is set to launch the second half of Season 1 with exciting new content. Announced on February 19, 2025, via the game's YouTube channel, the update includes the addition of The Thing and Human Torch, completing the Fantastic Four lineup. A new map, Central Park, featuring Dracula's castle, will also be introduced. Lead combat designer Zhiyong and creative director Guangguang are behind this update, which aims to enhance the gaming experience with balance adjustments and new competitive tournaments.

Zhiyong detailed the upcoming balance changes, set to take effect on February 21, 2025, at 12:00 AM (PDT). These include adjustments to the energy cost for characters with fast ultimate recharge, like Cloak & Dagger and Loki, as well as tweaks to the survivability and mobility of certain Vanguard characters. Overpowered heroes such as Storm and Moon Knight will see nerfs as the game enters the next phase of Season 1.

However, one planned feature, the rank reset, which would have dropped all players' ranks by four divisions, was met with significant fan backlash. In response, the developers decided to remove this mechanic from the update, showcasing their responsiveness to community feedback.