Allegedly, Blizzard and NetEase are considering rekindling their partnership, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
If these rumors hold true, it could mean that Blizzard’s games will once again be accessible in China through NetEase, potentially starting as early as April.
Due to China’s regulations, games developed outside the country typically need to be managed by local technology companies like NetEase,
which handles the localization of numerous franchises on behalf of its partners. Until January 2023, Blizzard was one of NetEase’s clients,
allowing Chinese players to access titles like World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Overwatch 2. However, the dissolution of their partnership resulted in the loss of access to these games in China.
Recent rumors suggest that Blizzard and NetEase may be patching things up. A report from Chinese news site Core Esports indicates that an announcement regarding their collaboration is imminent, likely by the end of March or early April. If the deal goes through, Blizzard’s games would be managed in China by NetEase’s main cooperative products division,
similar to how Diablo Immortal is handled, rather than by a specialized team as in their previous partnership.
It’s been suggested that former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick played a significant role in preventing the companies from reconciling.
However, with Kotick’s departure in January 2024 and the subsequent dropping of active lawsuits between the parties, negotiations have reportedly resumed. Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard has also played a part in rebuilding this relationship, especially considering NetEase’s existing collaboration with the tech giant on games like Minecraft in China.
Interestingly, there have been other rumors circulating about the fate of Blizzard games in China. A reliable source of Blizzard news in Asia,
Nico_oq, hinted that a Korean company might step in to host Blizzard’s games in China through a leasing agreement. Whether these rumors prove true, the leasing deal falls through, or other factors come into play, it remains uncertain.
It’s essential to approach these rumors with caution until official confirmation from Blizzard or NetEase is provided. While the reports come from trustworthy sources, nothing is certain until an official announcement is made. However, if the partnership is indeed reinstated, Chinese gamers could potentially enjoy Blizzard titles again as early as April. Full restoration of services may take a bit longer, but there’s hope it could be achieved no later than the release of World of Warcraft: The War Within. Fans eagerly await official news on the matter and hope for swift resolution.