Marvel Snap, a collectible card game (CCG), encountered unexpected downtime due to a temporary ban on TikTok in the US. As the platform was reinstated after roughly 12 hours, Marvel Snap remained offline for an additional 12 hours.

Now back online on PC, though still unavailable on smartphones, this is positive for the California-based development team, Second Dinner, and fans of card games featuring superheroes. However, it could spell trouble for Nuverse, its publisher and a subsidiary of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

In an announcement via X, Second Dinner stated, “MARVEL SNAP is back online in the U.S. But to ensure this NEVER happens again, we’re working to bring more services in-house and partner with a new publisher.”

“This is the start of a new era for MARVEL SNAP. We understand this may leave you with more questions than answers. We value your patience, and in the meantime, we hope you enjoy playing MARVEL SNAP.”

These developments are particularly unusual; it is uncommon for a studio to indicate their intent to leave a publisher while still actively under contract with them. However, circumstances concerning Nuverse and ByteDance may continue to be scrutinized.

US President Donald Trump announced that the return of TikTok is merely a delay, providing “an extension of the period before the law’s prohibitions take effect.” There are ongoing discussions about the potential for a “50% ownership position” for the US regarding TikTok. Should a deal fail to materialize, TikTok—and possibly the games under the Nuverse umbrella—could face further issues.

Currently, Marvel Snap is playable, but in-app purchases are temporarily disabled and expected to return soon.