The development of Marvel Rivals has hit a snag, with recent layoffs impacting the game’s US team. On February 18, 2025, Thaddeus Sasser, the US Game Director for Marvel Rivals, announced on LinkedIn that he and his entire Seattle-based team had been unexpectedly laid off.
Sasser expressed his surprise at the decision, particularly after what he described as a successful launch for the new NetEase Games franchise. He emphasized the talent of his team and highlighted the difficult job market they now face.
NetEase Games addressed the layoffs, citing “organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency for the game” as the driving forces behind this move. In a statement shared by Stephen Totilo on X (formerly Twitter), the developers acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision. Despite the layoffs, NetEase reassured fans that they remain committed to delivering an “exceptional experience” with Marvel Rivals.
We recently made the difficult decision to adjust Marvel Rivals’ development team structure for organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency for the game. This resulted in a reduction of a design team based in Seattle that is part of a larger global design function in support of Marvel Rivals. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of those affected and will be treating them confidentially and respectfully with recognition for their individual contributions.
Full Statement
We want to reassure our fanbase that the core development team for Marvel Rivals, which continues to be led by Lead Producer Weicong Wu and Game Creative Director Guangyun Chen in Guangzhou, China, remains fully committed to delivering an exceptional experience. We are investing more, not less, into the evolution and growth of this game. We’re excited to deliver new superhero characters, maps, features, and content to ensure an engaging live service experience for our worldwide player base.
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