Marvel Rivals Surpasses 40 Million Players Amid Seattle Studio Layoffs

NetEase Games has announced that its hero shooter, Marvel Rivals, has surpassed 40 million players since its launch on December 6, 2024, achieving significant milestones shortly after its release, including 10 million players within the first 72 hours. The announcement follows a round of layoffs at the Seattle development team that was responsible for the game, raising concerns about the industry's current state where success does not guarantee job security. While NetEase emphasizes its commitment to enhancing the game with new content, players and industry observers have expressed outrage over the layoffs, highlighting a disconnect between corporate decisions and developer contributions. Despite a minor increase in overall revenues, NetEase's gaming segment is notably influenced by the success of Marvel Rivals, which is pivotal to the company's financial performance amid a broader shift from mobile to PC gaming revenues. The game's first season was a considerable success, boosting its popularity and player engagement. This situation underscores ongoing challenges within the gaming industry, where profitability often coincides with employee reductions.