The popular Marvel-themed card game, Marvel Snap, has been removed from Apple and Google's app stores, leaving players in the dark. The sudden ban, which took effect on January 19, 2025, is a result of the US government's divest-or-ban law aimed at ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant that owns TikTok.

Although Marvel Snap is developed by California-based Second Dinner, its publisher, Nuverse, is owned by ByteDance, making it subject to the same shutdown order. The game's removal from the App Store and Google Play has left players surprised and frustrated, with many unaware of its connection to ByteDance.

Players who attempted to access the game were met with an in-game message stating, "Sorry, MARVEL SNAP isn’t available right now. A law banning MARVEL SNAP has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, 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!"

Unlike TikTok, Marvel Snap players were not given prior warning about the law's effect, leaving many who had purchased in-game items expecting to continue playing the game. The ban has also raised concerns about the impact on other ByteDance-linked apps, with some, like Lemon8 and CapCut, quickly disappearing from app stores alongside TikTok.

However, the effect on other Nuverse-published games is mixed. While the Lark app, a Slack-like collaboration platform, was initially available but later removed, other games like Earth: Revival - Deep Underground and Ragnarok X: 3rd Anniversary remain available in the App Store as of this writing.

The ban on Marvel Snap highlights the far-reaching implications of the US government's crackdown on ByteDance apps. The move has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the gaming industry, with many developers and publishers reliant on ByteDance-owned companies for distribution and revenue.

As the situation continues to unfold, Marvel Snap players are left waiting for the game's return, while the gaming industry watches with bated breath to see how this ban will affect the broader ecosystem of apps and games.

In the meantime, Marvel Snap remains available on Steam, a platform not affected by the US ban. However, the game's removal from mobile app stores has significant implications for its player base and revenue streams.

The story serves as a reminder of the complex web of ownership and distribution in the tech industry, where a single ban can have far-reaching consequences for developers, publishers, and players alike.