Marvel Snap has quickly become a mobile gaming phenomenon, boasting over 250,000 average daily players on Steam alone since its December launch.

However, a recent Bloomberg report reveals the game's journey to success wasn't without its hurdles. Sources close to NetEase CEO William Ding told Bloomberg that Marvel Snap was nearly canceled before its release.

According to the report, Ding was reportedly hesitant about the licensing fees required to use Marvel characters and proposed using original characters instead. Though the plan ultimately didn't materialize, the decision is described as "emblematic of mutations brought by the CEO, costing the company millions of dollars."

NetEase has refuted these claims, stating that the company "has maintained a close cooperative relationship with Marvel since 2017."

The game's success hasn't been without controversy. Recent layoffs impacting Marvel Snap's Seattle-based development team have drawn criticism, especially following the announcement that the game has surpassed 40 million players.  Some media outlets have questioned the timing of the layoffs, raising concerns about the stability of game development jobs even amidst successful launches.

NetEase has responded to the layoffs, confirming that only a small, single team was affected and that the core development team remains intact.  The company has also assured players that its commitment to Marvel Snap remains strong.  However, for many in the gaming industry, this incident underscores a pervasive anxiety surrounding job security, highlighting the precarious nature of employment in the often volatile gaming landscape.