Summary
Marvel Snappublisher Nuverse, a branch of TikTok parent company ByteDance, will be moved away from video games after a restructuring scheduled to take place in the coming months. Developed by Second Dinner,Marvel Snapreleased in October 2022and quickly become a top-ranking free-to-play card battler set in the popular comic universe.
TikTok’s parent company established Nuverse as its game publishing arm in 2019 and has also acquired a number of developers in the time since. In what is still considered one of the most expensive video game acquisitions at $4 billion,ByteDance took ownership of Moonton, the studio behind theMobile Legendsfranchise, in 2021. But in mid-November 2023, rumors began making the rounds that the conglomerate was looking for options to sell off the developer.
Now, aftertwo rounds of layoffs at ByteDance in 2022, the company hasconfirmed to Reutersthat it will be restructuring its gaming arm, Nuverse, and pulling out of video games. The spokesperson didn’t go into further details but explained the decision by stating that ByteDance “regularly review our businesses and make adjustments to centre on long-term strategic growth areas. Following a recent review, we’ve made the difficult decision to restructure our gaming business.”
The reason for this course correction is reportedly the lack of commercial success of the games published by Nuverse, includingMarvel Snap.Anonymous sources at ByteDance also told Reuters that the company has no plans to return to the video game space, and employees will be told to cease all work on any unreleased projects on Monday, November 27. The restructuring at Nuverse will also possibly lead to more layoffs or transfers to other areas within the company.
Following a recent review, we’ve made the difficult decision to restructure our gaming business.
As forMarvel Snapand other games in Nuverse’s portfolio that have already been released, such asOne Piece: The VoyageandRagnarok X: Next Generation, ByteDance will apparently begin looking for ways to divest itself of those properties. Additionally, development studios like Moonton will be sold off, and the virtual reality company Pico has already experienced a downsizing of its team. However, the sources clarified that casual games available on TikTok and titles developed by Ohayoo, whose work is released on Chinese sister app Douyin, will not be affected by the restructuring.
Marvel Snapis considered one of the best games set in the Marvel universe, sitting comfortably beside releases likeMarvel’s Guardians of the GalaxyandMarvel Ultimate Alliance.The game received overall positive reviews on launch and has already made its way into esports tournaments. Its success hopefully means that developer Second Dinner will face no issues finding another publisher for the collectible card game.
WHERE TO PLAY
MARVEL SNAP is a fast-paced, award-winning collectible card game with innovative mechanics that has been called “accessible, and utterly brilliant” and “one of the best card games” today.Build your deck of 12 cards. Each Card represents a Marvel Super Hero or Villain, each with a unique power or ability. The goal of the game is to outsmart and outwit your opponent. Learning how to play only takes a few minutes, and matches only takes 3 minutes.The game is designed so that every match feels different. Play your cards at 50+ different locations across the Marvel Universe, each with iconic game-changing abilities. From Asgard to Wakanda, new locations are introduced regularly to put your creative problem-solving skills to the test.Every player begins with a Free Starter Deck that helps you get started. From there, you can earn new cards to add to your collection simply by playing and mastering the game.Unlike other games in the Collectible Card Game Genre, there are no card packs in MARVEL SNAP. You can Play More to Earn More.
