Marvel Rivals

2025 - 2 - 18

Marvel Rivals Spills the Beans: Hero Buffs, Nerfs, and Layoffs, Oh My!

Black Widow - esports - gaming industry news - Human Torch - Marvel Rivals - NetEase - Storm - The Thing - video game layoffs

Get ready, Marvel fans! The latest patch is bringing major changes to your heroes, but layoffs at NetEase have left us in shock!

Marvel fans, buckle up because the 1.5 patch for Marvel Rivals is just around the corner, and it's promising some exhilarating changes! According to recent leaks, heroes like Storm, Luna Snow, and Black Widow are about to experience nerfs, while other characters will get the spotlight they deserve with buffs. As players gear up for this patch, the community is abuzz with excitement—though there's a bittersweet taste lingering in the air. The patch promises to shake things up in the competitive landscape of this multiplayer shooter, making it an exhilarating time for both casual players and hardcore gamers alike.

However, the recent news surrounding the development team at NetEase is disheartening. Reports have surfaced that the Seattle-based team responsible for some of the magic behind Marvel Rivals has been laid off despite the game's massive success. Game director Thaddeus Sasser expressed his sentiments on social media, highlighting the peculiar nature of the gaming industry where being good at your job doesn't necessarily shield you from layoffs. The Marvel Rivals community is left questioning how layoffs can happen in an embattled market filled with success stories, and it raises eyebrows about the industry's unpredictable nature.

In addition to the sad news about layoffs, players have new additions to look forward to. The mid-season update for Season 1 will debut on February 21, 2025, introducing heroes Human Torch and The Thing into the Marvel Rivals mix. With the introduction of more iconic characters, excitement builds as players anticipate fresh strategies and dynamic team compositions. This particular patch also promises to tweak tank heroes significantly, which means players will need to stay on their toes to understand the new meta that develops—if you're going to be the best, you'll need to adapt quickly!

As the dust settles on the latest revelations, Marvel enthusiasts remain hopeful not only for the balance changes with the upcoming patch but also about the future of Marvel Rivals amidst the restructuring at NetEase. What does this mean for future updates and expansions? Will we see new characters and features despite the organizational shakeups? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – the passion for Marvel still burns brightly among fans. Meanwhile, it’s fascinating to note that Marvel Rivals has surpassed 20 million players, making it a significant player in the free-to-play shooter arena. It's a reminder that in the rollercoaster world of gaming, highs and lows often go hand-in-hand, and as fans, we can only hold on and enjoy the ride!

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Forbes"

'Marvel Rivals' Patch Leaks: Storm, Luna Snow Nerfs, Black Widow ... (Forbes)

Marvel Rivals will be nerfing and buffing dozens of heroes in the 1.5 patch this week, here's a leak of what's coming.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "GeekWire"

Report: Netease lays off Seattle team working on hit video game ... (GeekWire)

(NetEase Games image) A Seattle-based team that contributed to development on the popular online action game Marvel Rivals has reportedly been dismissed.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "VentureBeat"

North American Marvel Rivals team laid off by NetEase (VentureBeat)

Despite massive success, the team-based shooter from NetEase was unable to stave off layoffs on its North American side.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Verge"

Marvel Rivals' US team is undergoing layoffs (The Verge)

Developers on Marvel Rivals, a new and popular multiplayer shooter from NetEase, are reporting mass layoffs.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Polygon"

'This is such a weird industry': Marvel Rivals lays off NA-based team ... (Polygon)

And yet it's developer NetEase has laid off a team who worked on the game out of its Seattle-based studio. Game director Thaddeus Sasser wrote a post on ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "GamesRadar"

Marvel Rivals apparently hit with significant layoffs despite ... (GamesRadar)

Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Iron Man and the Hulk in the upcoming PS5 game. (Image credit: NetEase). Marvel Rivals game director Thaddeus ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "VICE"

'Marvel Rivals' Team Laid off Because Being Good at Your Job Is No ... (VICE)

'Marvel Rivals' is an incredible experience and, by all metrics, a successful game. But it still led to dev layoffs. This has to stop.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Eurogamer.net"

Marvel Rivals team hit by layoffs despite major launch success (Eurogamer.net)

Free-to-play hero shooter Marvel Rivals has been a huge success for publisher NetEase, smashing through the 20m player …

Marvel Rivals update release date: Marvel Rivals Season 1 Mid ... (Economic Times)

The mid-season update for Marvel Rivals Season 1 launches on February 21, 2025. Human Torch and The Thing join the roster.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Game Rant"

Marvel Rivals: Release Time For The Thing & Human Torch (Game Rant)

The second half of the Fantastic Four are coming to Marvel Rivals. Here is when players can get their hands on The Thing and Human Torch.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Marvel Rivals Feb. 21 Patch Notes - Huge Tank Changes, The Thing ... (Sports Illustrated)

Marvel Rivals Season 1 is entering its second phase, adding new heroes, costumes, and more with a massive balance patch to kick off the next six weeks of ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "TheGamer"

Marvel Rivals Director And Team Laid Off Despite Massive Success (TheGamer)

Summary · Despite the success of Marvel Rivals, NetEase has laid off game director Thaddeus Sasser and his whole team. · All six of the developers that have been ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Gamasutra"

Report: NetEase laid off Marvel Rivals' Seattle developers (Gamasutra)

NetEase may have conducted layoffs ahead of its reveal trailer for Marvel Rivals' next characters, Human Torch and the Thing.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "PC Gamer"

NetEase confirms Marvel Rivals layoffs, says cuts were made 'to ... (PC Gamer)

NetEase has now confirmed the layoffs of Marvel Rivals developers in a statement provided to PC Gamer. "We recently made the difficult decision to adjust ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "80 Level"

Marvel Rivals' Recent Layoffs Affected 6 People in NetEase's US ... (80 Level)

The initial reports about "significant layoffs" at NetEase turned out to be significantly exaggerated.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Esports Insider"

NetEase Games undergoes Marvel Rivals layoffs (Esports Insider)

NetEase Games, the developer of hero shooter game Marvel Rivals, has announced it has laid off its North American design team.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "IGN"

Marvel Rivals Director and Entire Seattle Design Team Laid Off ... (IGN)

Marvel Rivals developer NetEase has confirmed cuts to its Seattle-based design team for "organizational reasons."

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Forbes"

'Marvel Rivals' Layoffs Baffle Everyone After The Game Is A Massive ... (Forbes)

Yesterday was a dichotomy of a day for Marvel Rivals, as it officially showed off its two new heroes, The Thing and Human Torch while also laying off devs.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Esports Insider"

Virtus.pro enters Marvel Rivals esports (Esports Insider)

Virtus.pro has announced its entry into Marvel Rivals esports with the signing of its first roster for the popular hero shooter.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Verge"

NetEase says it's 'investing more' in Marvel Rivals despite layoffs (The Verge)

Chinese game publisher NetEase has issued a statement explaining the reason for laying off members of the US Marvel Rivals team.

Explore the last week