Table of Contents
- 1. Marvel Snap Temporarily Unavailable in the U.S. Amid TikTok Ban Fallout
- 2. Marvel Snap and other Nuverse Games Face shutdown Amid TikTok Ban
- 3. Nuverse Games also affected
- 4. A Glimmer of Hope?
- 5. What’s Next?
- 6. What steps is Second Dinner taking to bring *Marvel Snap* back to U.S. players?
fans of Marvel Snap, the popular card-battling game set in the Marvel universe, were left stunned as the game was unexpectedly taken offline in the United States. The shutdown,tied to the recent TikTok ban,has left players scrambling for answers,especially those unaware of the game’s connection to ByteDance,TikTok’s parent company.
When attempting to log in, players are met with a disheartening message: “Sorry, Marvel Snap isn’t available right now. A law banning Marvel Snap has been enacted in the U.S. Unluckily, that means you can’t use Marvel Snap for now.Rest assured,we’re working to restore our service in the U.S. Please stay tuned!”
Interestingly, Marvel Snap is developed by Second Dinner, a U.S.-based game studio. However, its publisher, Nuverse, is a subsidiary of ByteDance. This connection has dragged the game into the crosshairs of U.S.legislation targeting tiktok over national security concerns. While Marvel Snap itself poses no apparent threat, its ownership by ByteDance has made it collateral damage.
Second Dinner expressed surprise at the sudden outage, taking to social media to address the situation.“Unfortunately, MARVEL SNAP is temporarily unavailable in U.S. app stores and is unavailable to play in the U.S.,” they wrote. “This outage is a surprise to us and wasn’t planned. MARVEL SNAP isn’t going anywhere. We’re actively working on getting the game up quickly.”
Unfortunately, MARVEL SNAP is temporarily unavailable in U.S. app stores and is unavailable to play in the U.S. This outage is a surprise to us and wasn’t planned. MARVEL SNAP isn’t going anywhere. we’re actively working on getting the game up as soon as possible and will…
— Second Dinner (@seconddinner) January 19, 2025
The game, primarily available on mobile, also extended to PC platforms via Steam. While it remains listed on the Steam store for now, it’s expected to be removed soon. Even if downloaded, players in the U.S. are unable to access it. The official website for the game is also currently inaccessible in the country.
Ben Brode, Second Dinner’s Chief Progress Officer and Co-Founder, offered a potential workaround for eager players.“I am hearing that VPN software will allow you to continue playing Marvel Snap in the meantime,” he shared.“Provided that you pretend you’re from Canada or something.” A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, masks a user’s location, allowing them to appear as if they’re accessing the game from a different country. However, this workaround does not apply to TikTok, which remains fully blocked in the U.S.
Since its early access launch in 2022, Marvel snap has captivated players with its fast-paced gameplay and beloved Marvel characters. The sudden disruption has left fans anxious about its return.While Second Dinner remains committed to resolving the issue,the timeline for its resolution remains uncertain.
For now, players hoping to dive back into the marvel universe will have to wait patiently—or explore the VPN option—as the developers navigate the complexities of the situation. Stay tuned for updates as the story unfolds.
Marvel Snap and other Nuverse Games Face shutdown Amid TikTok Ban
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The ripple effects of the U.S. government’s ban on TikTok continue to unfold, with several popular mobile games now caught in the crossfire. Among them is the beloved card battler Marvel Snap, a game that has captivated players with its lightning-fast matches and strategic deck-building mechanics. Featuring iconic Marvel characters and locations, the game has built a loyal following as its launch.
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While Marvel Snap is free to play, it relies heavily on microtransactions, offering in-game currency, cosmetic skins, and seasonal battle passes. The sudden shutdown has left many players in limbo, especially those who recently purchased items or subscriptions. With no prior warning, concerns are mounting about whether these investments will be honored or refunded.
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Nuverse Games also affected
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Marvel Snap is far from alone in this predicament. Other titles published by Nuverse, such as Land of Empires: Immortal, Mission EVO, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and One Punch Man: The Strongest, have also been pulled from the U.S. market. These games, which span a variety of genres, have similarly seen their access restricted overnight, leaving players and developers scrambling for answers.
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A Glimmer of Hope?
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There may be a silver lining, however. President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at a potential reprieve for TikTok,stating he would “most likely” grant the platform a 90-day extension after he assumes office on January 20th. TikTok has acknowledged this possibility in an in-app statement:
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“A law banning tiktok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are blessed that President trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned.”
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If TikTok is allowed to return, even temporarily, it could pave the way for these games to resume operations in the U.S. For now, players are left in a state of uncertainty, waiting to see how the situation develops.
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What’s Next?
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The shutdown of Marvel Snap and other Nuverse games highlights the far-reaching consequences of regulatory decisions in the tech and gaming industries. As the dust settles, players, developers, and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see whether these popular titles can make a comeback. For now, all eyes are on the incoming administration and its approach to the TikTok ban.
What steps is Second Dinner taking to bring *Marvel Snap* back to U.S. players?
Interview wiht Ben Brode, Chief Progress Officer and Co-founder of Second Dinner, on teh Unavailability of Marvel Snap in the U.S.
Archyde News: Thank you for joining us today, Ben. The sudden unavailability of Marvel Snap in the U.S. has left fans shocked and confused. Can you elaborate on what lead to this situation?
Ben Brode: Thank you for having me. It’s been a whirlwind for us as well. The shutdown is tied to the recent legislation targeting TikTok, which is owned by ByteDance. Nuverse, our publisher, is a subsidiary of ByteDance, and that connection has unfortunately dragged Marvel Snap into this situation. While the game itself poses no security concerns, its ownership structure has made it collateral damage in this broader national security debate.
Archyde News: Second Dinner is a U.S.-based studio. How does it feel to have your game caught up in this geopolitical issue?
Ben Brode: It’s definitely unexpected and frustrating. We’re a small team of passionate developers who just want to create fun games for our players. Marvel Snap has been a labor of love, and it’s heartbreaking to see it suddenly unavailable to our U.S. audience. We’re as surprised as anyone by this outage, and we’re working tirelessly to resolve it.
Archyde News: What steps is Second Dinner taking to bring Marvel Snap back to U.S. players?
Ben Brode: Our first priority is to communicate openly with our community.We’ve been active on social media, letting players know that this outage wasn’t planned and that we’re committed to getting the game back up as quickly as possible. We’re exploring all options, including potential legal and technical solutions, to ensure Marvel Snap can return to U.S. app stores and remain accessible to our players.
Archyde News: In the meantime, you’ve suggested using a VPN as a workaround. Can you explain how this works and what players should keep in mind?
Ben Brode: Sure. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, masks a user’s IP address, making it appear as if they’re accessing the game from a different country. Players can connect to a server in Canada, for exmaple, and continue playing Marvel Snap. However, this is only a temporary solution, and it’s important to note that it doesn’t apply to TikTok, which remains fully blocked in the U.S. We’re grateful for the community’s patience and creativity during this challenging time.
Archyde News: How has the community reacted to the shutdown,and what message do you have for Marvel Snap fans?
Ben Brode: The response has been a mix of disappointment,frustration,and support. We’ve seen an outpouring of love from players who have shared how much the game means to them, and that’s truly humbling. To our fans, I want to say: Marvel snap isn’t going anywhere. We’re here for the long haul, and we’re doing everything we can to bring the game back to the U.S. as soon as possible. Stay tuned, and thank you for sticking with us.
Archyde News: Looking ahead, what lessons have you learned from this situation, and how will it impact Second Dinner’s future projects?
Ben Brode: This experience has reinforced the importance of transparency and resilience in game advancement. It’s also highlighted the complex interplay between technology, politics, and entertainment. Moving forward,we’ll be more mindful of these external factors and ensure we’re well-prepared to navigate challenges like this in the future. but one thing won’t change: our commitment to creating games that bring joy to players around the world.
Archyde News: Thank you for your time, Ben. We wish you and the Second Dinner team the best of luck in resolving this issue and bringing Marvel Snap back to U.S. fans.
ben Brode: Thank you. We’re grateful for the support and won’t rest until this is resolved. Stay tuned!
