NetEase vs Western Devs – 8 Studios on the Chopping Block!
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The gaming world is buzzing with shocking news. Marvel Rivals soared to massive success, but behind the scenes, layoffs and internal controversies are shaking things up. NetEase, one of the biggest gaming giants, is reportedly planning major layoffs, and the reasons might surprise you. Is there a brewing divide between Eastern and Western game development? And what does this mean for the future of some of your favorite studios? Let’s dive deep into this unfolding story.
The Layoffs After Marvel Rivals' Success
A few days ago, the gaming community was hit with unexpected news. Marvel Rivals had just become one of NetEase’s biggest successes, drawing in millions of players and generating massive revenue. But right after this victory lap, reports surfaced that NetEase was laying off staff. A director was fired, a handful of employees lost their jobs, and rumors started swirling. How could a company celebrate such a big win while cutting people loose? Was there more going on behind the scenes?
At first, the situation didn’t seem too alarming. Only six people were laid off, and none were core developers on Marvel Rivals. These employees worked at a support studio in Seattle, helping with logistical aspects of the game rather than hands-on development. The main development team—based in China—remained intact, continuing to ride the wave of Marvel Rivals’ success. But even so, this sparked questions: why cut staff now?
From Minor Cuts to Major Layoffs
What initially seemed like a small-scale layoff is now shaping up to be the tip of the iceberg. Recent reports suggest that NetEase is preparing for a massive wave of layoffs, particularly targeting its American workforce. According to a social media post by Grummz, former World of Warcraft director Mark Kern claims to have insider information pointing to a significant downsizing of Western development teams.
Allegedly, NetEase’s leadership in China is unhappy with the output from Western studios, labeling developers as "lazy, arrogant, slow, and woke." It’s a bold accusation that has set the gaming community ablaze with debate. Are cultural and ideological differences creating an irreparable rift between Eastern and Western game development? And is the quality of Western games truly slipping compared to their Eastern counterparts?
The Growing Divide Between East and West
Looking at recent trends, it's hard to ignore the widening gap in the quality and reception of games from Eastern and Western studios. Eastern studios have been on a roll, delivering high-quality, innovative titles that resonate with gamers globally. Capcom continues to dominate with its Resident Evil franchise, Korean developers are pushing boundaries with Stellar Blade, and Chinese studios are turning heads with games like Black Myth: Wukong.
Meanwhile, many Western studios are struggling. High-profile releases like The Day Before and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League have been marred by bugs, performance issues, and heavy-handed monetization. Even beloved franchises are facing setbacks—Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, once one of the most anticipated games, is now surrounded by doubt due to development issues and concerns over its direction.
The Hiring Problem: Prioritizing Diversity Over Merit?
One of the most heated parts of this debate centers around hiring practices in Western studios. Critics argue that many Western game developers are prioritizing diversity and inclusivity over raw talent and experience. Studios like Ubisoft have openly promoted initiatives that prioritize hiring women, non-binary individuals, and minorities, while others like Activision and CD Projekt Red have implemented similar programs.
On the surface, these initiatives aim to bring more inclusivity into the industry—a goal that many support. But critics claim that when diversity quotas outweigh hiring based on skill and merit, the quality of games suffers. This argument suggests that studios are sometimes more focused on optics and meeting quotas than assembling the most capable teams.
Compare this to many Eastern studios, where meritocracy still seems to be the dominant hiring practice. If you’re skilled and experienced, you get the job—simple as that. This difference in approach may be a major factor in why Eastern studios are consistently releasing polished, high-quality games, while many Western studios are struggling with underwhelming releases.
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