Marvel Snap, the popular card-collecting game, has triumphantly returned to the App Store after being temporarily removed due to its connection with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. This significant turnaround follows new publishing arrangements made by the game’s developer, Second Dinner, allowing it to once again delight players across the United States.
On January 19, 2025, Apple was forced to remove Marvel Snap from its App Store as part of compliance with legislation banning all applications associated with ByteDance. This ban, which was enforced to address security and privacy concerns surrounding ByteDance products, also impacted other applications, including TikTok. At the time of the ban, Marvel Snap was published by Nuverse, which is a subsidiary of ByteDance, leading to its immediate discontinuation of services within the United States.
Fast forward to January 28, 2025, and Marvel Snap is back! Users can again download and enjoy the game, now available without the shackles of its former association with ByteDance. While Apple initially complied with the required ban, the newfound publisher arrangements have allowed Marvel Snap to be reinstated successfully. Interestingly, the game has been entirely removed from Apple’s list of ByteDance applications, signaling Second Dinner’s successful pivot away from their previous publisher.
Upon logging back on, players will not only find their beloved game but also be greeted with numerous incentives as compensation for their patience during the downtime. These additional rewards, referred to as the “Downtime Package,” offer generous free items including credits, tokens, and experience points. For players based within the U.S. who had created their accounts before January 20, 2025, the rewards are particularly impressive, potentially valued up to $400.
According to Second Dinner, players with collection levels surpassing 500 will receive:
- 2 Spotlight Keys
- 5,000 Season Pass experience points
- 4,150 Credits
- 6,200 Collector's Tokens
- 1,000 Gold
- 5 Gold Conquest Tickets
- 3 Infinite Conquest Tickets
- 4,000 Conquest Medals
- 1 Mystery Variant
- 6 Premium Mystery Variants
- 1 Cosmic Red Border (Super Rare)
- 3 Cosmic Gold Borders (Super Rare)
- 155 x5 Random Boosters
For those players with lower collection levels, the offering still encourages participation, including valuable items such as 6 Mystery Series 3 Cards and several credits and tokens.
Non-U.S. players have not been neglected either. They can expect similar but scaled rewards based on their respective statuses, ensuring player engagement worldwide. The “Global Gratitude Package” delivered to players outside the U.S. mirrors many of the offerings available to U.S. residents who's accounts meet specific criteria.
Marvel Snap is not resting on its laurels after this smooth return. The company is taking proactive steps to prevent any recurrence of such issues by working on finding stronger publishing partnerships and potentially bringing more of their services in-house. This strategy aims to utilize their independent development status to navigate the digital marketplace more safely.
Adding to the excitement, Marvel Snap has introduced a new daily “Galactus Free Draw” incentive. Players who make daily visits to the Marvel Snap Webshop can receive additional rewards, including exclusive in-game currency and cosmetic items, encouraging consistent engagement with the game.
Overall, the return of Marvel Snap is more than just the reinstatement of a game; it highlights significant industry shifts where digital publishers must navigate political and regulatory landscapes effectively. Players can rejoice as they once again immerse themselves, free from previous restrictions and filled with generous incentives, stepping right back onto the battlefield of Marvel Snap with excitement and newfound rewards.