The divest-or-ban law targeting TikTok has led to the sudden removal of the popular card game Marvel Snap from app stores as of January 19, 2025. Developed by Second Dinner and published by ByteDance-owned Nuverse, the game’s access was cut off without prior warning, leaving many players surprised and unable to continue playing.
- TikTok divest-or-ban law affects ByteDance apps.
- Marvel Snap game access cut off unexpectedly.
- Second Dinner plans to restore Marvel Snap.
- Players unaware of ByteDance connection.
- Other ByteDance apps also removed quickly.
- Mixed effects on remaining ByteDance-linked apps.
Marvel Snap, a card game set in the Marvel universe, was unexpectedly removed from the App Store and Google Play. Players on PC can still see the game on Steam, but many report being signed out and unable to log back in. The sudden shutdown has left users frustrated, especially those unaware of the game’s connection to ByteDance.
Second Dinner expressed surprise at the takedown, stating, “Marvel Snap isn’t going anywhere. We’re actively working on getting the game up as soon as possible and will update you once we have more to share.” The game’s in-game message informs players of the ban and reassures them that efforts are underway to restore service.
Other apps linked to ByteDance, such as Lemon8 and CapCut, have also been affected by this law, which has led to their removal from app stores. While some ByteDance apps were taken down immediately, others are still available, indicating a mixed response to the enforcement of the law. For instance, the Lark app was initially available but has since been removed.
The lack of warning about the law’s implications for Marvel Snap has raised concerns among players, particularly those who continued to spend money on in-game items. The situation highlights the broader impact of regulatory actions on digital platforms and their users.
The ban on Marvel Snap reflects the ongoing scrutiny of ByteDance and its associated products. As developers work to address the situation, players are left in uncertainty regarding the future of the game and other ByteDance-linked applications.