You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide NetEase Games has laid off key staff from its massive free-to-play success Marvel Rivals. After developing one of the biggest games of the last year, game director Thaddeus Sasser, technical designer Garry McGee, level designer Jack Burrows and many more have been let go from the team.Sasser, who we interviewed shortly before launch, spent years designing the gameplay loop of Marvel Rivals. With a decades-long pedigree in franchises like Call of Duty, Battlefield and more, Sassers design philosophy is one of the reasons Marvel Rivals is as good as it is.Marvel Rivals director laid offAnnounced in a LinkedIn post, Sasser told followers that he has been officially laid off from NetEase Games alongside other Americans working on the title. Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25! Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only! *Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit. This is such a weird industry, Sasser announced. My stellar, talented team just helped deliver an incredibly successful new franchise in Marvel Rivals for NetEase Games and were laid off.In a separate post, level designer Jack Burrows described the process as a sad culling of the games American staff. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Welp, just got laid off from my job working on Marvel Rivals for NetEase Games, Burrows said. Was an enormous pleasure to work with my American coworkers who join me in this sad culling. Just couldnt dodge that big boot I guess, no matter how big the success of the gig.Since release, Marvel Rivals has been met with critical and commercial success as tens of millions of players flock to the free-to-play game. Bolstered by the sales of pricey cosmetic skins, Rivals has been a massive moneymaker for NetEase Games, but some of the talented developers behind that success have only been punished for their work.Marvel Rivals continues to be a success with new information on the games next heroes released earlier today. With new heroes planned to release every month and a half, NetEase isnt slowing down, despite cutting a large number of its extremely talented workforce.Marvel RivalsPlatform(s):macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Fighting, ShooterRelated TopicsMarvel Rivals Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share