Summary
Marvel Rivalswas almost cancelled before launch because NetEase’s CEO didn’t want to payDisneyfor the use ofMarvelcharacters. This is according to a source speaking toBloomberg, who says that we almost didn’t get the smash-hit hero shooter due to licensing concerns.
The source also states that the CEO, William Ding, asked the game’s artists to “swap” licenced characters out with original creations. This idea was scrapped, but was apparently pursued long enough to cost NetEase “millions of dollars”.
In response to Bloomberg, NetEase has denied this, saying that it has been in a partnership with Marvel since 2017. However, other sources speaking in the report paint a picture of a company - and a CEO - which makes abrupt changes in the name of chasing profit and constant growth, potentially explainingthe recent layoffs.
On these layoffs, the report states that Ding has cut “hundreds of jobs” over the past year. This is said to be part of an ongoing restructuring effort, as the company has struggled to grow in recent quarters.
NetEase Is Hitting Its Gaming Division With Layoffs Despite Recent Successes
One area that has seen growth is its gaming division, with Marvel Rivals proving to be a huge success since it went live last December. NetEase decided to target this division regardless,hitting the entire US-based Marvel Rivals team with layoffs, including director Thaddeus Sasser. Following this, NetEase-backed studio Liquid Swordsalso revealed that it was facing layoffs.
Sources speaking as part of the report say that NetEase’s CEO is uninterested in any game that can’t generate “hundreds of millions of dollars per year”. If true, Marvel Rivals fans better hope that the game maintains a strong level of success, or Ding may sour on the ongoing live service. The report also details claims of crunch at NetEase, with staff having to take naps at work. NetEase denies all of these allegations.
