Marvel Snap Impacted by TikTok Ban: What's Next?

If there's one piece of news that dominated headlines over the weekend, it was undoubtedly the temporary ban of TikTok in the United States. This action followed a congressional act labeling TikTok as a "foreign adversary controlled application," which finally took effect on Sunday. However, you're probably already aware that President-elect Donald Trump swiftly promised to restore the service, leading ByteDance to quickly bring their popular social media app back online. Yet, not all of ByteDance's applications have enjoyed such a swift return.

A prime example is Marvel Snap, the beloved comic-themed card battler. As reported over the weekend, Marvel Snap, along with other releases from ByteDance subsidiaries such as Moonton's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, was abruptly taken offline in the U.S. with a clear message stating it had been banned. ByteDance's stance was evident: accept all their offerings or none at all.

The twist? It appears that developer Second Dinner was not forewarned about this move and has been managing the fallout on social media for the past 24 hours. Despite this, they've committed to restoring Marvel Snap to service promptly. This situation raises some troubling questions about the relationship between ByteDance and its partners.

Catch!You don't need a degree in political science to recognize that ByteDance's decision to take TikTok offline, while highlighting Trump as a potential savior, was a calculated move to stir public discourse. This strategy seemingly paid off, enabling ByteDance to dramatically re-enter the U.S. market. However, this political maneuvering also impacted other gaming titles, leaving developers like Second Dinner to handle the consequences. Second Dinner has promised lucrative free rewards to compensate players for the downtime, hoping to have Marvel Snap back in players' hands by the time this article is published.

While it's unlikely that Second Dinner will sever ties with ByteDance over this incident, the episode has likely shaken their confidence. The clear message seems to be that mobile gaming is secondary to ByteDance's primary focus on their algorithm-driven social media platform.

Game overThis isn't the first time ByteDance has shown that gaming takes a backseat to their social media endeavors. In 2023, their gaming division underwent significant layoffs, canceling numerous projects before they could launch. Since then, Marvel Snap had been a sign that ByteDance might be shifting towards partnerships rather than developing games in-house. However, this breach of trust could make other developers and publishers wary of becoming entangled in ByteDance's future political controversies.

Disney, too, might be feeling the repercussions, especially after the recent release of NetEase's Marvel Rivals, which boosted mobile gaming with a crossover collaboration earlier this month. ByteDance may have outmaneuvered politicians, but players, developers, and IP holders are unlikely to be as forgiving.

They think it's all over…Rumors are already circulating that ByteDance might just be the beginning. Other Chinese gaming giants like Tencent and NetEase could be next in line. The FTC has already scrutinized MiHoYo over their use of loot boxes, and this high-profile dispute with ByteDance may not be enough to deter future political actions against the gaming industry.

What could happen next? The sudden removal of Marvel Snap caught the attention of many, particularly older audiences who were indifferent to TikTok. ByteDance's strategic move, though successful, sets a concerning precedent. How will people react when their favorite games become pawns in geopolitical games? The saying about bread and circuses might come back to haunt everyone involved.