In a significant shift for the mobile gaming industry, Second Dinner, the developer behind the popular game Marvel Snap, has officially severed ties with its former publisher, Nuverse. This decision comes in the aftermath of a tumultuous period triggered by Bytedance's strategic maneuvers surrounding the TikTok ban. Second Dinner announced on their official Twitter that they have now partnered with the US-based publisher, Skystone Games, marking a new chapter for the game.
The move caps off a series of dramatic events that affected several releases under Nuverse and other Bytedance subsidiaries, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Marvel Snap. These games were unexpectedly removed from app stores following Bytedance's bold strategy to counter the TikTok ban, which was initially threatened by then president-elect Donald Trump. Although TikTok managed to swiftly return to service, other gaming titles were left in limbo, with Second Dinner notably left uninformed about Marvel Snap's removal. The developer has since been working diligently to restore service to their game.
It's hardly surprising that Second Dinner has chosen to part ways with Nuverse. While Bytedance's strategy to protect TikTok may have been successful, it evidently caused significant disruption for developers whose games were caught in the crossfire. The swift transition to Skystone Games suggests that Nuverse is likely facing substantial repercussions from the gaming community and developers alike.
While it's easy to delve into broader geopolitical discussions, the more pressing question is whether Bytedance's focus on safeguarding TikTok has inadvertently undermined its ambitious plans in the gaming sector. Second Dinner's move certainly hints at such an impact.
For those eager to return to Marvel Snap, be sure to check out our tier lists for a helpful refresher on the game's current meta.