Marvel Rivals publisher claims laying off its American developers will “optimise development efficiency” 

Marvel Rivals publisher NetEase Games has laid off its Seattle development team in what’s been described as a “sad culling” of American developers working on the game. 

In the layoffs, director Thaddeus Sasser, technical designer Garry McGee, level designer Jack Burrows and more were cut after helping to deliver one of the biggest games of the year. For the game’s publisher, the loss of these developers is simply in the name of “efficiency”. 

Marvel Rivals publisher claims layoffs are for efficiency 

In a statement, NetEase explained that the design team based in Seattle, America were laid off for efficiency while investing more in the main Chinese development team. 

“We recently made the difficult decision to adjust Marvel Rivals’ development team structure for organizational reasons and to optimize development efficiency for the game,” NetEase said. 

“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.”

NetEase has told fans that this move will support the “core” team in China and will result in the studio “investing more, not less, into the evolution and growth of this game.” 

However, there is a worrying trend within NetEase, not just surrounding Marvel Rivals. The Chinese mega publisher has recently pulled out of a number of American development studios in the past few months, including Halo Infinite designer Jerry Hook’s new studio Jar of Sparks. Additionally, Worlds Untold, a new studio by Mass Effect writer Mac Walters saw NetEase pull away, leaving the studio’s fate unsure. 

Nevertheless, Marvel Rivals is continuing full speed ahead with a new hero planned every month and a half. With more maps, events, and more in the works, the game itself won’t suffer on the side of content.