NetEase, the developer behind the successful mobile game Marvel Rivals, has confirmed layoffs within its Seattle-based design team. Game director Thaddeus Sasser announced the cuts on LinkedIn, expressing surprise given the game's recent success. Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter, has achieved over 20 million downloads since its December launch and boasts impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam.

Sasser's LinkedIn profile indicates his team's contributions to game and level design for Marvel Rivals over the past two years. NetEase's statement confirmed the layoffs, citing "organizational reasons" and the need to optimize development efficiency. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, NetEase emphasized respectful and confidential treatment for those laid off.

The company assured players that ongoing support for Marvel Rivals will not be affected. The core development team, based in Guangzhou, China, under Lead Producer Weicong Wu and Game Creative Director Guangyun Chen, remains fully committed to the game's future. NetEase reiterated its continued investment in Marvel Rivals, promising new characters, maps, features, and content updates.

This latest round of layoffs follows NetEase's recent scaling back of overseas investments and studio closures in the U.S. and Japan, including the closure of Ouka Studios (developer of Visions of Mana). Previous actions include pausing operations at Mac Walters' Worlds Untold and the cancellation of Jerry Hook's Jar of Sparks.