Summary
- NetEase Games has confirmed that the Seattle-based development team for Marvel Rivals has been let go
- It's unclear how many staff members were laid off.
- Marvel Rivals has been a massive success, gaining over 10 million players in its first three days.
Marvel Rivals publisher NetEase has addressed the recent layoffs that hit one of the game’s development teams and offered additional insight into the situation. Marvel Rivals has been a big hit so far, managing to gain over 10 million players just a few days after it launched in full on December 6, 2024 and showing little sign of slowing down. Earlier this week, Marvel Rivals confirmed 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 recent Marvel Rivals news has been great, however. Earlier this week, Marvel Rivals game director Thaddeus Sasser announced 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 considering Marvel Rivals’ near-overnight success, with players left wondering how these layoffs will affect future game content.
Marvel Rivals Player Creates Doc Ock Vanguard Concept
One Marvel Rivals player creates a partially functioning concept of Doctor Octopus as a Vanguard in NetEase Games' popular hero shooter.
NetEase recently released a statement regarding the Marvel Rivals layoffs to PC 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 the hard work of its Marvel Rivals Seattle 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 on Marvel 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 for Marvel Rivals by adding even more playable characters, maps, and other content with each new season. As stated before, Blade is set to arrive in Marvel Rivals at 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 of Marvel 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, Rumbleverse developer Iron Galaxy, Smite publisher Hi-Rez Studios, Crysis studio Crytek, and most recently Liquid Swords.
Marvel Rivals
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 78 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- December 6, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence
- Developer(s)
- NetEase Games
- Publisher(s)
- NetEase Games
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 Roster
Choose 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 Dynamics
With 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 Synergy
Coordinate 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 Destruction
Tear 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 Updates
The 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!
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Limited - console crossplay, no PC crossplay
- Cross Save
- No
- Franchise
- Marvel
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- December 6, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Action, Multiplayer
- How Long To Beat
- 7.5 hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 20 GB
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
