TLDR
- Marvel Snap temporarily banned in US alongside TikTok
- Developer Second Dinner was not informed of the shutdown
- Game has returned to PC but remains unavailable on mobile platforms
- Second Dinner announces plans to seek new publisher
- In-app purchases currently unavailable during transition
Popular card game Marvel Snap experienced an unexpected shutdown in the United States as part of the broader ban on ByteDance-owned applications, catching both players and developers off guard. The game’s developer, Second Dinner, has now announced plans to seek a new publisher following the incident.
Sudden Shutdown
The game disappeared from US app stores on January 18, 2025, displaying a message to players: “Sorry, Marvel Snap isn’t available right now. A law banning Marvel Snap has been enacted in the U.S.” Second Dinner, the game’s California-based developer, stated on social media: “This outage is a surprise to us and wasn’t planned.”
Developer Response
In an unusually direct statement following the game’s partial restoration, Second Dinner announced on X: “MARVEL SNAP is back online in the U.S. But to make sure this NEVER happens again, we’re working to bring more services in-house and partner with a new publisher.” The studio added, “This is the start of a new era for MARVEL SNAP.”
Current Status
As of January 21, 2025: – PC version: Restored and playable – Mobile versions: Still unavailable in US app stores – In-app purchases: Temporarily disabled – Service restoration: Ongoing process
ByteDance Connection
Marvel Snap’s involvement in the ban stems from its publication by Nuverse, a subsidiary of ByteDance, which also owns TikTok. The game was affected by the same legislation targeting ByteDance-owned applications, despite being developed by a US-based company.
Player Impact
During the outage, Chief Development Officer Ben Brode suggested players use VPNs to access the game through non-US servers, highlighting the unexpected nature of the shutdown. Players who had made in-game purchases were temporarily unable to access their content, raising concerns about digital ownership and platform dependency.
Future Implications
The incident has sparked discussions about: – Digital platform ownership and content access rights – International technology company regulations – Gaming industry dependencies on foreign publishers – Developer-publisher relationships in crisis situations
Second Dinner’s announcement about seeking a new publisher marks a significant shift in the game’s future direction, suggesting broader implications for international gaming partnerships and publication arrangements.
About the Game
