A recent press release by Chinese video games giant NetEase revealed a new partnership with Microsoft to bring back popular games, including “World of Warcraft,” to China. This collaboration marks a significant change in the gaming landscape of the world’s second-largest economy.
The fallout between NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of U.S. gaming giant Activision Blizzard, in 2023 ended a decade-long partnership. This resulted in the termination of popular online games developed by Blizzard in China. However, tensions eased after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, leading to renewed discussions between NetEase and Microsoft to re-launch the games in China.
The press release announced the reestablishment of the partnership between NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment. This renewed agreement will bring back iconic games like “World of Warcraft” and “Hearthstone” to Chinese gamers. The inclusion of other titles from the “Warcraft,” “Overwatch,” “Diablo,” and “StarCraft” franchises promises a resurgence of Blizzard games in the country.
The exit of Blizzard games in China sparked outrage among millions of Chinese netizens who feared losing access to their favorite games. The popularity of “World of Warcraft” alone had attracted five million Chinese gamers in 2009. NetEase’s customer service reported over a million Chinese gamers requesting refunds for unspent services in Blizzard games before they were taken offline.
A New Chapter in the Gaming Industry
The collaboration between NetEase, Microsoft, and Activision Blizzard signifies a new chapter in the gaming industry. The partnership not only aims to re-establish popular games in China but also includes plans to explore bringing new NetEase titles to Microsoft’s gaming platforms. This strategic alliance between major players in the gaming industry is anticipated to reshape the gaming experience for Chinese gamers.
The revival of Blizzard games in China through the partnership between NetEase and Microsoft represents a significant shift in the gaming landscape of the country. By reconciling differences and re-establishing collaborations, the gaming industry is poised for a new era of legendary gaming experiences for Chinese gamers.
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