NetEase, the developer behind the successful mobile game Marvel Rivals, has confirmed layoffs within its Seattle-based design team. Game director Thaddeus Sasser announced on LinkedIn that he and his team were let go, despite the game's recent success. Marvel Rivals, a free-to-play hero shooter, has surpassed 20 million downloads since its December launch and boasts impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam.

Sasser's LinkedIn profile indicates his team's contribution to the game's design and level design over the past two years. NetEase's statement confirmed the restructuring, citing "organizational reasons" and a need to optimize development efficiency. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, NetEase emphasized respectful treatment and recognition of their contributions.

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

This latest round of layoffs follows a pattern of NetEase scaling back overseas investments and closing studios in the U.S. and Japan. Previous closures include Ouka Studios (developer of Visions of Mana), and the pausing of operations for Worlds Untold and the cancellation of Jar of Sparks.