Microsoft and NetEase are set to re-launch popular Blizzard games, including the legendary \"World of Warcraft,\" in the Chinese mainland this summer. This marks the end of a nearly 15-year partnership that was halted in 2023 amidst disagreements over intellectual property control.
Blizzard Entertainment, now a subsidiary of Microsoft following last year's acquisition, expressed enthusiasm about renewing their collaboration. Johanna Faries, President of Blizzard Entertainment, stated, \"We at Blizzard are thrilled to reestablish our partnership with NetEase and to work together, with deep appreciation for the collaboration between our teams, to deliver legendary gaming experiences to players in China.\"
The renewed agreement not only brings back titles like \"World of Warcraft\" and \"Hearthstone\" but also includes other franchises such as \"Warcraft,\" \"Overwatch,\" \"Diablo,\" and \"StarCraft.\" Additionally, NetEase and Microsoft are exploring opportunities to introduce NetEase titles to Microsoft's Xbox and other gaming platforms, potentially increasing NetEase's overseas presence.
Financial markets responded positively, with NetEase's share price rising approximately 2% following the announcement, adding to a 3% gain the previous day. Analysts, such as Morningstar's Ivan Su, predict that the renewed partnership could contribute about a 2% incremental earnings boost for NetEase.
The revival of Blizzard games in China comes after Blizzard terminated its partnership with NetEase in January 2023, leading to the games being taken offline and subsequent legal disputes. The tension eased following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard and subsequent management changes, paving the way for the re-launch.
Blizzard's games have historically enjoyed a strong player base in the Chinese mainland, with local media estimating around five million \"World of Warcraft\" players in 2009 under NetEase's publishing. The initial breakup led to significant disappointment among Chinese gamers, with over a million users requesting refunds for in-game credits after the games were discontinued.
As Microsoft and NetEase move forward, the gaming community in the Chinese mainland looks forward to regaining access to these iconic titles, signaling a new chapter for both companies in the world's largest gaming market.
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Microsoft, NetEase to re-launch Warcraft and other games in China
cgtn.com
