31 votes

Marvel Snap has also been banned in the US following the TikTok shutdown

12 comments

  1. kfwyre
    Link

    While many were expecting the U.S. to shut down TikTok within its borders if parent company ByteDance didn't sell it to a Western buyer, it was a bit more of a surprise when Marvel Snap went dark as its publisher is also owned by the same company.

    For those unaware, Marvel Snap was developed by Second Dinner and was published by ByteDance-owned publisher Nuverse, which is what led to the ban.

    Ben Brode, Second Dinner's Chief Development Officer and Co-Founder, took to BlueSky to discuss the ban and state that it was a surprise to them too.

    "Unfortunately, Marvel Snap is temporarily unavailable in U.S. app stores and is unavailable to play in the U.S. This was a surprise to Second Dinner and our publisher Nuverse," Brode wrote. "We’re actively working on getting the game up as soon as possible and will update you once we have more to share."

    9 votes
  2. [3]
    mantrid
    Link
    Did everything owned by ByteDance actually get banned in the US, or are they just shutting down all of their stuff of their own volition? I was under the impression that the government had...

    Did everything owned by ByteDance actually get banned in the US, or are they just shutting down all of their stuff of their own volition? I was under the impression that the government had specifically targeted TikTok.

    6 votes
    1. updawg
      Link Parent
      ByteDance is specifically called out in the law, but all their stuff shutting down a day early with a message that President Trump was going to fix it was definitely a message.

      ByteDance is specifically called out in the law, but all their stuff shutting down a day early with a message that President Trump was going to fix it was definitely a message.

      19 votes
    2. corbs
      Link Parent
      The law, though most certainly targeted at TikTok, is broad enough to encompass a lot of apps. This does seem like bytedance making a bit of a statement, though. It's about the only card they have...

      The law, though most certainly targeted at TikTok, is broad enough to encompass a lot of apps. This does seem like bytedance making a bit of a statement, though. It's about the only card they have left to play.

      14 votes
  3. [6]
    Monte_Kristo
    Link
    So that sucks for people who are fans, but is this also a flaw of it being an always online game?

    So that sucks for people who are fans, but is this also a flaw of it being an always online game?

    4 votes
    1. [5]
      DFGdanger
      Link Parent
      Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it a purely pvp multiplayer game? That's more a baked-in design decision than a flaw.

      Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it a purely pvp multiplayer game? That's more a baked-in design decision than a flaw.

      18 votes
      1. [3]
        Eji1700
        Link Parent
        Well yes but actually no... You absolutely get matched with bots. It's a somewhat clever way to help beginners get off the ground and feel confident, and it helps keep queue times low for higher...

        Well yes but actually no...

        You absolutely get matched with bots. It's a somewhat clever way to help beginners get off the ground and feel confident, and it helps keep queue times low for higher level players and they aren't always certain they're playing bots.

        That said, yes the game is mostly about playing other players who you are randomly matched with. There is no "play a bot" match at all. Only the very first training matches are even shown as such. Everything else is pvp or disguised as such.

        7 votes
        1. [2]
          Plik
          Link Parent
          I would say financially clever scam. Need whales to spend more? Match them against more difficult bots. Eastern European/Russian developers do this to an absurd level. Tacticool is a perfect example.

          I would say financially clever scam. Need whales to spend more? Match them against more difficult bots. Eastern European/Russian developers do this to an absurd level.

          Tacticool is a perfect example.

          3 votes
          1. Eji1700
            Link Parent
            That’s not really how snaps system works. Mostly because the bots are easier to beat than humans for anyone halfway decent

            That’s not really how snaps system works. Mostly because the bots are easier to beat than humans for anyone halfway decent

            6 votes
      2. Monte_Kristo
        Link Parent
        Kinda running the line of intentional design and bad ideas. There are plenty of multiplayer games that have content that a person can access offline. If we look at Marvel Rivals you would still be...

        Kinda running the line of intentional design and bad ideas. There are plenty of multiplayer games that have content that a person can access offline. If we look at Marvel Rivals you would still be able to boot up training mode or play bot matches. Other online card games like Pokemon TCG Pocket also have bot battles. It's not much, but you can still play the game instead of getting stopped at the start screen.

        4 votes
  4. moocow1452
    Link
    Marvel Snap appears to be back up, not available in the App Store or Play Store at this time.

    Marvel Snap appears to be back up, not available in the App Store or Play Store at this time.

    4 votes
  5. Dr_Amazing
    Link
    Wow had no idea. Been playing all morning from Canada.

    Wow had no idea. Been playing all morning from Canada.

    6 votes