TikTok's weekend ban dominated headlines, but the fallout also impacted other top apps, including Marvel Snap. This incident highlights the risky political maneuvering involved.

TikTok's temporary US shutdown, anticipated due to congressional labeling as a "foreign adversary controlled application," ultimately proved short-lived thanks to President-elect Trump's intervention and ByteDance's swift action. However, the same swift return wasn't extended to all ByteDance's apps.

Marvel Snap, the popular card game, and other titles from ByteDance subsidiaries like Moonton's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, were also banned. ByteDance's strategy seemed to be an "all or nothing" approach.

Surprisingly, developer Second Dinner reportedly received no prior warning. They've since pledged in-game rewards to compensate players for the disruption, but the incident raises serious concerns.

ByteDance's calculated move to leverage TikTok's ban, portraying Trump as a savior, generated significant publicity and secured TikTok's reinstatement. However, this political gamble inadvertently ensnared other gaming apps, leaving developers like Second Dinner in a difficult position. While unlikely to sever ties with ByteDance, the lack of warning likely damaged trust. The incident suggests ByteDance prioritizes its social media platform over its gaming ventures.

This isn't ByteDance's first misstep in the gaming sector. In 2023, significant layoffs and project cancellations within their gaming division signaled a shift towards partnerships rather than in-house development. However, this latest incident could deter future collaborations, as developers and publishers become wary of ByteDance's unpredictable political entanglements. Disney, particularly, might be concerned, given the recent success of NetEase's Marvel Rivals.

The impact extends beyond ByteDance. Tencent, NetEase, and other Chinese gaming companies could face similar scrutiny. The FTC's actions against MiHoYo demonstrate the growing regulatory pressure. ByteDance's experience serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the vulnerability of gaming companies to political pressures.

The Marvel Snap ban unexpectedly galvanized some users, particularly older demographics less engaged with TikTok, demonstrating the potential for widespread impact when popular games are caught in political crossfire. ByteDance's gamble, while successful for TikTok, sets a worrying precedent for the future of gaming, raising questions about the influence of political agendas on player access to their favorite games. The potential for broader repercussions remains a significant concern.