Blizzard Entertainment , to Pull 'World of Warcraft', From China's Game Market.
On November 17, Blizzard Entertainment
announced that it was suspending most
of its gaming services in China. .
'The New York Times' reports that some of America's most
popular gaming franchises, including 'World of Warcraft'
and 'Diablo,' will no longer be available in the country.
'The New York Times' reports that some of America's most
popular gaming franchises, including 'World of Warcraft'
and 'Diablo,' will no longer be available in the country.
A 14-year partnership between two
of the world's largest gaming companies
will come to an end in the beginning of 2023.
The decision reportedly stems from Activision Blizzard
failing to renew its licensing agreement with
Chinese publisher and internet company NetEase.
The decision reportedly stems from Activision Blizzard
failing to renew its licensing agreement with
Chinese publisher and internet company NetEase.
According to the U.S. game developer, the two
companies were unable to reach a deal that was , “consistent with Blizzard’s operating principles
and commitments to players and employees.”.
According to the U.S. game developer, the two
companies were unable to reach a deal that was , “consistent with Blizzard’s operating principles
and commitments to players and employees.”.
Activision Blizzard is expected to pull
their games from the Chinese
market in the coming days.
In a NetEase news release, CEO Wililam Ding cited , "material differences on key terms" as the reason
for the longstanding partnership coming to an end.
In a NetEase news release, CEO Wililam Ding cited , "material differences on key terms" as the reason
for the longstanding partnership coming to an end.
The 'NYT' reports that Blizzard could still partner
with another Chinese distributor, like Tencent, to
reestablish its presence in the Chinese game market.
The 'NYT' reports that Blizzard could still partner
with another Chinese distributor, like Tencent, to
reestablish its presence in the Chinese game market.
In August of 2021, Beijing imposed a crackdown
on games, placing even stricter limits
and restrictions on the market.
The restrictions were part of a larger push by the Chinese
government to pull China's technology companies closer
to central government concerns like antitrust and security.
The restrictions were part of a larger push by the Chinese
government to pull China's technology companies closer
to central government concerns like antitrust and security