Tag Archives: NetEase

Business, Gaming, News

Visions Of Mana co-director returns after its studios demise at the hands of NetEase

Ouka Studios was a subsidiary of NetEase Games, known for developing the RPG Visions of Mana, which was published by Square Enix. The studio was founded with the goal of creating high-quality games that would resonate with players worldwide. However, the journey of Ouka Studios was short-lived, as it was shut down by NetEase shortly after the release of Visions of Mana.

The founding of Ouka Studios was marked by the collaboration of talented developers, including Kenji Ozawa, who co-directed Visions of Mana. The studio aimed to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the gaming industry, leveraging the expertise of its team members. Despite the initial excitement and potential, the studio faced challenges that ultimately led to its closure.

NetEase’s decision to shut down Ouka Studios was part of a broader strategy to scale back its investment in Japanese studios. This move was driven by cost-cutting efforts and a shift in focus towards other priorities.

The closure of Ouka Studios was a significant blow to the developers who had poured their passion and creativity into their projects.

In the wake of Ouka Studios’ closure, Kenji Ozawa decided to take matters into his own hands. Motivated by the desire to protect creators and ensure that management takes responsibility for its decisions, Ozawa founded a new studio called Studio Sasanqua. This new venture aims to integrate management and development, providing a supportive environment for creators to thrive.

Studio Sasanqua’s mission is to create smaller projects using Unreal Engine, with the long-term goal of developing larger-scale games for PC and consoles. Ozawa’s vision for the studio is to foster a sense of security for developers and to take full responsibility for any management-related mistakes.

This approach is a direct response to the challenges faced by Ouka Studios and reflects Ozawa’s commitment to creating a better future for game developers.

The story of Ouka Studios serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and supporting creators in the gaming industry. While the studio’s journey was cut short, its legacy lives on through the efforts of its former team members and the new ventures they embark on.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

NetEase in a rare moment of optimizing resource in middle of the Marvel Rivals hype

In a surprising turn of events, NetEase Games has recently laid off the entire US-based development team behind the successful hero shooter, Marvel Rivals. This decision has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, especially given the game’s massive success since its launch in December 2024.

The news broke on February 18, 2025, when Marvel Rivals game director Thaddeus Sasser took to LinkedIn to announce that his entire team had been let go. Sasser, a veteran in the gaming industry, expressed his disbelief and frustration over the sudden layoffs, highlighting the team’s significant contributions to the game’s success.

Marvel Rivals’ Success

Despite the layoffs, Marvel Rivals has been a runaway success. The game has garnered over 20 million downloads and consistently attracts hundreds of thousands of concurrent players on platforms like Steam. Its popularity has made it one of the most talked-about games in the competitive live service space.

NetEase cited “organizational reasons” and the need to “optimize development efficiency” as the primary reasons for the layoffs. The company emphasized that the core development team based in China remains committed to the game’s ongoing support and future updates.

The layoffs have had a significant impact on the affected employees, many of whom have been with NetEase since the game’s inception in January 2023. Sasser and his team specialized in game and level design, contributing to the innovative mechanics and engaging gameplay that have defined Marvel Rivals.

The gaming community has reacted with a mix of shock and anger to the layoffs. Many fans and industry professionals have expressed their support for the affected employees and criticized NetEase for cutting a team that played a crucial role in the game’s success.

NetEase’s Financial Performance

On February 20, 2025, NetEase announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The company reported net revenues of RMB26.7 billion (US$3.7 billion), a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to the same quarter of 20231. However, the Games and Related Value-Added Services segment saw an increase in net revenues to RMB21.2 billion (US$2.9 billion), up 1.5% year-over-year.

Despite the layoffs, NetEase has assured fans that Marvel Rivals will continue to receive updates and new content. The company is investing more resources into the game’s evolution and growth, aiming to deliver an exceptional experience for its global player base.

The layoffs at NetEase Games serve as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the gaming industry. While Marvel Rivals continues to thrive, the affected employees now face the challenge of finding new opportunities in a competitive job market. As the gaming community rallies around them, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the future of Marvel Rivals and the broader industry.

Games, Gaming, News

Marvel Rivals gains first main event after beating the 20 million users’ mark

Since its launch just a few weeks ago, Marvel Rivals has taken the gaming world by storm, amassing an impressive 20 million players! Developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Disney’s Marvel Games, this superhero team-based player versus player (PVP) shooter has quickly become a favorite among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and comic book enthusiasts alike.

Rapid Rise to Fame

Marvel Rivals hit the 10 million player mark within just 72 hours of its release. This rapid growth is a testament to the game’s engaging gameplay and the enduring popularity of Marvel superheroes. The game features iconic MCU heroes like Iron Man, Hulk, and Scarlet Witch, alongside comic book favorites such as Cloak and Dagger, Iron Fist, and Squirrel Girl.

Celebrating Success

To celebrate reaching 20 million players, NetEase Games has introduced a special celebratory spray featuring Galactica, which players can earn by logging in between December 20th, 2024, and January 10th, 2025. This milestone is a significant achievement, especially considering the game’s fresh entry into the hero shooter genre.

Marvel Rivals offers a deep and varied roster of Marvel heroes and villains, allowing players to assemble unique teams and devise countless strategies by combining powers to form team-up skills. The game’s destructible, ever-changing battlefields keep the action fresh and exciting, ensuring that players remain engaged.

With its current success, Marvel Rivals is poised to become a major player in the competitive gaming scene. The game’s developers are already planning future updates and events to keep the momentum going, including the upcoming Winter Celebration event with new gameplay modes, hero costumes, and bountiful rewards.

Marvel Rivals has truly proven that the superhero power still reigns supreme in the gaming world. As the game continues to grow, it will be exciting to see what new heights it will reach and how it will shape the future of hero shooters.

Games, Gaming, News

Marvel Rivals Unleashes Wolverine, Black Widow, and More in Latest Trailer

Marvel Rivals, the highly anticipated hero shooter from NetEase, has just released a new trailer that reveals an incredible lineup of characters for its launch. With only a few days to go before its official release, the game is generating a lot of excitement among fans.

The latest trailer showcases Wolverine, Black Widow, Cloak & Dagger, Iron Fist, and the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl as part of the initial roster. These characters join an already impressive lineup that includes Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, and many more. The game promises to bring the Marvel multiverse to life with its diverse cast of heroes and villains.

Marvel Rivals is a competitive multiplayer title where teams of six players battle it out in various Marvel-inspired locations. The game features dynamic environmental destruction and unique team-up abilities, making each match a thrilling experience. Players can expect fast-paced action and strategic gameplay as they fight to control payloads and capture points across different worlds.

One of the standout characters in the trailer is Black Widow, whose gameplay has been compared to Overwatch’s Widowmaker. Black Widow’s sniper skills and defensive abilities make her a formidable opponent on the battlefield3. Wolverine, with his adamantium claws and healing factor, brings a brutal melee combat style to the game.

Marvel Rivals is set to launch on December 6, 2024, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). The game will be free-to-play, with a microtransaction model and battle pass system for additional content.