TikTok owner ByteDance wants to leave mainstream gaming, including its subsidiary Nuverse, the publisher of Marvel Snap. ByteDance confirmed in a statement to Polygon on Monday that it will “restructure” its gaming operations. The decision is expected to lead to hundreds of layoffs Reuters, who first reported the news. ByteDance has not confirmed the extent of its layoffs.
“We regularly review our businesses and make adjustments to focus on long-term strategic growth areas,” a ByteDance representative said in a statement. “Following a recent review, we have made the difficult decision to restructure our gaming operations.”
Although ByteDance is divesting from Nuverse, Marvel Snap “will continue to operate and prosper in the future,” said a tweet posted early Monday on X (formerly Twitter) by the official Marvel Snap X account. The game was developed by Irvine, California-based indie studio Second Dinner.
Dear SNAPPERS,
Some of our players have expressed concerns about the reported structural changes at Nuverse.
We would like to thank you for your concern and assure you that regardless of any changes at Nuverse, SNAP will continue to function and thrive in the future!— MARVEL SNAP (@MARVELSNAP) November 27, 2023
Reuters reports, based on four unnamed sources, that ByteDance has no plans to re-enter the mainstream gaming market. The companies Casual games publisher Ohayoo – which partners with Chinese social media platform Douyin – will not be affected, nor will the casual games running on TikTok. In addition to Nuverse, ByteDance is reportedly looking to sell mobile gaming subsidiary Moonton Technology, Reuters reported. Earlier this month, ByteDance restructured its virtual reality company Pico, laying off hundreds of employees. TechCrunch reports this.
Nuverse had 3,000 employees in 2021, according to TechCrunch – a number that has remained relatively consistent over the years, according to the outlet: quoting Chinese tech news channel LatePost.
ByteDance has invested heavily in the video game industry in recent years as it looks to compete with Chinese gaming giants Tencent and NetEase. Marvel Snap was a success in the US, reaching a reported $116 million in revenue. Other Nuverse games include One piece: the journey And Warhammer 40,000: Lost Crusade. Moonton Games is responsible for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang And Guardian of realms.