From Battlefield to Marvel: Game Direction Insights with Thaddeus Sasser

Exploring the World of Game Development with Thaddeus Sasser, Game Director of Marvel Rivals

View on Zencastr

In the latest episode of Player Engage, I sat down with Thaddeus Sasser, the Game Director of Marvel Rivals at NetEase. Thad has been a key player in the gaming industry, contributing to iconic titles like Battlefield and Call of Duty before taking on his current role at NetEase. We dived deep into the intricacies of game direction, the challenges of balancing creativity with stakeholder expectations, and the excitement leading up to the launch of Marvel Rivals.

Setting the Stage for Marvel Rivals At Gamescom, Marvel Rivals made a big splash with the announcement of its release date—December 6th—and the introduction of iconic characters like Captain America and Winter Soldier. For Thad and his team, getting this information out to the public was a huge relief. “The team has poured their hearts and souls into this game for over two years,” Thad shared, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of game development.

The Role of a Game Director One of the most enlightening parts of our conversation was understanding what a game director does. Thad explained that the role can vary between studios but often involves holding the vision of the game, inspiring the team, and making tough decisions to keep the project on track. He emphasized the importance of leadership in game design, which goes beyond managing tasks to inspiring creativity and ensuring the game aligns with its core pillars.

Balancing Creativity and Stakeholder Expectations Working with a massive universe like Marvel comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when balancing creative freedom with maintaining the integrity of beloved characters. Thad discussed how his team collaborates closely with Marvel, doing extensive research to understand what works and what doesn’t. “You have to push the boundaries of the franchise to surprise and delight players while staying true to the core IP,” he explained, describing the process as aiming for a moving target.

Bringing Characters to Life in a Hero Shooter Marvel Rivals features a diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities that must work cohesively in gameplay. Thad elaborated on the creative process behind integrating characters like Spider-Man, whose abilities needed to feel authentic while offering a fresh gameplay experience. This often involves pushing the limits of character design within the constraints of the Marvel universe, creating an engaging and balanced hero shooter environment.

Lessons from the Battlefield and Beyond Reflecting on his journey, Thad shared how his past experiences on games like Call of Duty and Battlefield prepared him for his current role. A key takeaway is the iterative nature of game design—testing, failing, and refining until the core gameplay feels right. “There’s a moment when you find the fun, and that’s what keeps you hooked,” he noted, highlighting the importance of embracing feedback and making tough cuts when necessary.

The Future of Game Direction As a game director, Thad finds himself in a strategic position, balancing creative vision with the logistical demands of game production. When asked about the next steps for someone in his role, Thad suggested that moving up to a studio-level design director could be a logical progression, but he remains passionate about staying hands-on with individual projects. “I love being the vision holder and part of the creative process,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to making games that resonate with players.

Engaging with the Community Thad also touched on the importance of player feedback, particularly in the hero shooter genre. Marvel Rivals has an active community on platforms like Reddit, where fans are already creating their own characters and engaging deeply with the game. Thad stressed that while feedback is invaluable, it’s essential to look beyond surface-level comments to understand the underlying player motivations and needs.

Timestamps & Key Takeaways:

1. [02:15] Announcing Marvel Rivals at Gamescom
   Thad talks about the excitement and relief of announcing Marvel Rivals’ release date and the addition of Captain America and Winter Soldier. He shares how this announcement has energized the team as they enter the final stages of development.
2. [08:40] What Does a Game Director Do?
   Thad explains the role of a game director, detailing how it involves holding the creative vision, managing the team, and making crucial decisions that keep the project aligned and moving forward. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and inspiring the team.
3. [15:30] Balancing Marvel’s Vision with Creative Freedom
   We explore the challenges of working with a huge IP like Marvel. Thad discusses how his team collaborates with Marvel to ensure characters stay true to their origins while still pushing gameplay boundaries to surprise and delight players.
4. [21:50] Designing Characters and Team Synergy in Marvel Rivals
   Thad dives into the process of designing diverse heroes with unique abilities and how they ensure balanced and engaging gameplay. He shares how characters like Spider-Man are adapted to maintain their iconic traits while offering a fresh gameplay experience.
5. [28:10] Lessons Learned from Past Franchises
   Reflecting on his work on games like Call of Duty and Battlefield, Thad shares the importance of iteration, feedback, and making tough cuts in the development process. He explains how these experiences have shaped his approach to Marvel Rivals.
6. [35:00] The Next Steps for a Game Director
   Thad discusses potential career paths for game directors, from moving into studio-level design roles to starting their own studios. He reflects on his passion for staying hands-on with the creative process and being the vision holder for projects.

Final Thoughts As Marvel Rivals gears up for its December release, Thad and his team are in the final stages of bug fixing and ensuring a smooth launch. “It’s the busiest and most stressful time, but seeing players enjoy the game makes it all worth it,” Thad concluded. His journey from a young gamer to a leading figure in the industry serves as an inspiring example of passion, perseverance, and the constant pursuit of fun in game development.