NetEase CEO debate on canceling Marvel Rivals & replacing Marvel characters

Licensing costs and creative differences

There is no doubt that Marvel Rivals is a huge success today and the best hero shooter game in the market. However, its journey wasn’t very smooth sailing.

According to Bloomberg, this superhero shooter nearly didn’t make it to completion, with NetEase CEO William Ding apparently considering canceling it.

Per Bloomberg:NetEase almost didn't release Marvel Rivals, CEO suggested Swapping Marvel characters with the artist's own designs but "That ultimately aborted effort cost the company millions of dollars and was emblematic of the abrupt changes ushered in by the CEO. A NetEase… pic.twitter.com/6mjLN61d7L

— X0XLEAK (@X0X_LEAK) February 21, 2025

Behind-the-Scenes drama

According to a new report by Bloomberg, the CEO of NetEase hesitated to pay Disney for the Marvel license. This pushed back the cost of featuring iconic characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man and more.

There were even some thoughts and ideas about replacing the Marvel characters with the original characters. A move that did not work but reportedly cost NetEase millions. The article characterizes this as a trademark of Ding’s unconventional leadership style, which nearly derailed what is now a huge hit.

NetEase has disputed these assertions, citing a “close partnership with Marvel since 2017.” The firm argues that Marvel Rivals was never under threat, and it emphasizes its continued commitment to the game’s future.

This report came after the recent layoff of NetEase for its US-based team in Seattle. In response to fan worries, NetEase described the layoffs as a difficult but necessary action, assuring gamers that the core development team in Guangzhou, China, is still intact. “We are investing more, not less, into the evolution and growth of this game,” the studio claimed, attempting to allay concerns over Marvel Rivals’ long-term viability.

Also Read: Marvel Rivals Esports scene expands with Sentinels & Virtus.pro’s entry

Thoughts?

Imagine not having your favorite heroes and playing the game with the original characters. The game would have not been as big as it is now with the help of Marvel characters.

However, we previously have seen many Marvel games and everyone didn’t have the same success as Marvel Rivals. This also proves that the gameplay and mechanics are really good and fun to play. What are your thoughts about this? Do share your views and thoughts in the comment section.

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