Marvel Rivals fans are shocked as developers are suddenly fired

Marvel Rivals fans got another reminder today of the volatility of the gaming industry. Despite the free-to-play shooter enjoying massive player counts, members of its NetEase Games development team are out of work. The news broke when Game Director Thaddeus Sasser posted a LinkedIn message expressing support for his colleagues.

At the moment, it's unknown if Sasser himself was fired or how many of his co-workers are left jobless. It appears the firings affected the Seattle-based American division of NetEase Games. The Chinese branch of the company will presumably now guide Marvel Rivals development, just as the game is in the midst of Season 1 content.

Some observers outside the industry may think free-to-play games are financially doomed. However, Fortnite, which has been free since 2017, is an example of a shooter that has evolved into a profitable video game platform. Like Marvel Rivals, its publisher benefits from in-game sales and Battle Pass subscriptions. These smaller repeated purchases from committed players add up over time.

Marvel Rivals earned over $130 million in the first month following its December 2004 release. That's why players are stunned that some of the developers responsible for key gameplay and design elements have been cast aside. Yet, it's another sign of an industry suffering from a post-COVID era contraction full of studio closures and mergers. AI advancements are also threatening to replace talented coders and artists.

Already, players are expressing concerns about the future of Marvel Rivals. Some gamers now expect only minor gameplay additions and for NetEase Games to focus on recycling the same skins and content. What's obvious is that no game director, programmer, or designer should feel much job security.