Marvel Rivals Was Almost Canceled – The Shocking Story Behind Its Survival!
Marvel Rivals is a massive success with over 40 million players, but did you know it was nearly canceled? Discover the shocking reasons behind NetEase’s internal struggles, Disney’s licensing conflict, and the company’s drastic strategy changes!
Marvel Rivals Was Almost Canceled: The Truth Behind NetEase's Hit Game
Marvel Rivals has become a major phenomenon in the gaming industry, reaching over 40 million players and establishing itself as one of the most anticipated titles of the year. However, what many don’t know is that this ambitious shooter from NetEase Games was almost never released.
Why Was Marvel Rivals Almost Canceled?
According to a report from Bloomberg, NetEase considered canceling the project due to a key issue:
Ding Lei (William Ding), CEO of NetEase, did not want to pay for the rights to use Marvel characters.
Since NetEase was reluctant to pay Disney, the company even explored the idea of having its artists create similar designs without infringing on copyrights. However, this could have led to massive financial losses, so NetEase ultimately decided to pay and continue with Marvel’s original characters.
Cost Cutting and Strategy Shifts at NetEase
This licensing issue with Disney is not the only challenge NetEase has faced. The report also states that Ding has been implementing an aggressive cost-cutting strategy, leading to:
- Mass layoffs within the company.
- Closure of development studios in multiple countries.
- Withdrawal from international investments.
Ding’s goal appears to be to push NetEase towards only developing games that guarantee high annual revenue, avoiding unnecessary financial risks.
Is NetEase’s Future in Jeopardy?
NetEase’s new business approach has raised concerns about the future of certain projects. A clear example is Jackalope Games, NetEase’s first U.S.-based studio, which is currently developing a Warhammer MMORPG.
However, since NetEase is actively seeking more studios outside of China, some analysts are skeptical about whether this project will ever be released.
Conclusion
Despite setbacks and NetEase’s conservative strategy, Marvel Rivals managed to survive and become a massive success. However, this case highlights a crucial fact in the gaming industry:
Business decisions can put even the most promising projects at risk.
