Marvel Snap pulled from US app stores alongside TikTok

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has expressed hope that incoming administration might help lift ban
An image of Marvell Snap poster. — Steam
An image of Marvell Snap poster. — Steam 

Marvel Snap, a popular mobile game, was recently removed from US app stores due to a new law. Developed by California-based Second Dinner and published by Nuverse, a subsidiary of ByteDance, this game allows players to collect and battle using Marvel characters.

The ban comes as part of the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R.7521), which took effect on Sunday. This law prevents the distribution of apps from companies based in countries the US considers adversaries, including China. TikTok, also owned by ByteDance, was similarly affected.

Despite the game being developed in California, its publisher Nuverse links it to ByteDance, making it fall under the new legislation. Both Google and Apple removed Marvel Snap from their app stores.

Moreover, Second Dinner and Nuverse were caught off guard by this ban and are working to bring the game back as soon as possible. They assured fans on social media that they are actively addressing the issue.

Marvel Snap players are unhappy with the game's removal and have expressed their frustration on platforms like Discord and Twitter. Many are asking for refunds, arguing they wouldn’t have spent money if they knew the game would become unplayable. Second Dinner seems hopeful that the ban will be temporary and has not yet focused on issuing refunds.

Meanwhile, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has expressed hope that the incoming administration might help lift the ban, as promised by President-elect Trump during his campaign. Until then, US gamers can still access Marvel Snap on Steam.