Over the weekend, one of the most significant news stories was undoubtedly the temporary ban of TikTok in the United States. This ban, which had been anticipated due to a congressional act labeling it as a "foreign adversary controlled application," took effect on Sunday. However, the situation quickly evolved as President-elect Donald Trump promised to restore the service, and ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, swiftly brought the app back online. Despite this swift recovery, not all ByteDance applications have enjoyed such a rapid return to service.
A prime example is Marvel Snap, the popular comic-themed card battler. Alongside other ByteDance subsidiary releases like Moonton's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Marvel Snap was abruptly taken offline in the U.S., displaying a message indicating it had been banned. ByteDance's stance was clear: accept all their offerings or receive none. This sudden action left developer Second Dinner, who had not been forewarned, scrambling to manage the fallout on social media. They have since promised to bring Marvel Snap back online quickly, but this incident raises serious concerns.
ByteDance's strategy of leveraging TikTok's ban and subsequent return to spotlight President-elect Trump as a savior was a calculated move to generate buzz, which appears to have been successful. However, this political maneuvering inadvertently affected other ByteDance ventures, leaving some developers in a lurch. Second Dinner, for instance, is now offering lucrative rewards to players to compensate for the downtime, hoping to regain their trust by the time this article is published.
While Second Dinner is unlikely to abandon their partnership with ByteDance, this episode has likely shaken their confidence. It underscores ByteDance's prioritization of their social media platform over their gaming ventures. This is not the first time ByteDance has signaled that gaming is secondary; in 2023, they laid off hundreds of employees from their gaming division, canceling many unlaunched projects.
Following those layoffs, Marvel Snap's success suggested a shift towards partnerships rather than in-house development. However, this recent trust betrayal could make other developers and publishers wary of partnering with ByteDance, fearing involvement in future political controversies. Disney, too, might be feeling uneasy, especially after the recent boost from NetEase's Marvel Rivals and its mobile collaboration. While ByteDance may have outmaneuvered politicians, the impact on players, developers, and IP holders could be significant.
Rumors suggest that ByteDance may just be the beginning, with other Chinese gaming giants like Tencent and NetEase potentially facing similar scrutiny. The FTC has already targeted MiHoYo over loot boxes, indicating that the gaming industry remains a hotbed for regulatory action. ByteDance's bold move, though successful in the short term, sets a concerning precedent for the future.
The sudden disruption of popular games like Marvel Snap has heightened public awareness and concern. People are now more alert to the possibility that their favorite games could become pawns in political games. This situation echoes the adage about bread and circuses, highlighting the potential for widespread discontent if gaming continues to be manipulated by political forces.
Catch!
Game over
They think it’s all over…
