NetEase Almost Canceled Marvel Rivals Game

Overview of Marvel Rivals’ Journey

The hero shooter Marvel Rivals faced potential cancellation pre-launch due to financial concerns regarding Disney’s character rights.
Despite achieving financial success, recent layoffs impacted the US development team at NetEase.
NetEase promises players that the China-based team remains dedicated to creating new content for the game.

Marvel Rivals, the popular hero shooter released by NetEase Games in December 2024, nearly encountered cancellation before it was officially launched, as reported by industry insiders. Since its release, the game has generated impressive revenue, establishing itself in the gaming market within a short time. Yet, initial negotiations with Disney regarding character rights posed significant risks to its debut.

Upon its launch on December 6, 2024, Marvel Rivals quickly became a fan favorite, achieving peak concurrent player numbers exceeding 444, 000 during its first 24 hours and attracting over 10 million players shortly thereafter. As a testament to its overwhelming popularity, the game’s player count recently surpassed 40 million, according to an earnings call from NetEase.

According to a report from Bloomberg, discussions within NetEase revealed that the game’s founder, William Ding, hesitated to allocate funds for licensing Disney’s copyrighted characters. It was suggested that he considered an alternative route: developing original characters in place of Marvel heroes. However, a NetEase spokesperson has refuted these claims, emphasizing a strong relationship with Disney.

The Risk of Cancellation for Marvel Rivals

Since its launch, Marvel Rivals has reportedly grossed over $200 million; however, this success has not shielded it from NetEase’s recent restructuring efforts. In a surprising move, the US team behind Marvel Rivals, led by game director Thaddeus Sasser, faced layoffs amid broader cost-cutting measures. This decision raised eyebrows among fans and industry experts who were taken aback by the game’s flourishing popularity and sales, especially as NetEase announced a decline in overall profit during its December quarter.

In response to these layoffs, NetEase confirmed that the Seattle-based studio had been dismantled, but reassured players that the development team stationed in China is diligently crafting upcoming content. New characters, gameplay stages, and additional features are expected to enhance the player experience in this free-to-play hero shooter.

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