Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard games are returning to China thanks to a new deal with NetEase.
Blizzard Entertainment’s games have not been available in China ever since its licensing agreements with NetEase fell through on January 23, 2023. After negotiations between the two parties to renew said agreements fell through, games like World of Warcraft and Overwatch 2 went offline in China.
Blizzard has been looking for a new licensing partner to bring its games back to China ever since. This week, it finally found one… and it's NetEase\\ again.
Blizzard games to return in China after renewed agreement with NetEase
Blizzard’s licensing agreements with NetEase have allowed games like Hearthstone, Overwatch 2 and World of Warcraft to operate in the country since 2008. This deal expired when negotiations between both parties collapsed irrevocably in 2022, with Blizzard specifically explaining that, “The two parties have not reached a deal to renew the agreements that is consistent with Blizzard's operating principles and commitments to players and employees.”
The agreements expired on January 23, 2023, after which all of Blizzard’s games became unavailable in China for more than a year. This week, however, Blizzard confirmed that it had signed a new deal with NetEase. The deal will materialise this summer, bringing Hearthstone, World of Warcraft, “and other titles in the Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft universes,” back online in the country.
Blizzard’s president Johanna Faries said in a statement:
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. We are immensely grateful for the passion the Chinese community has shown for Blizzard games throughout the years, and we are focused on bringing our universes back to players with excellence and dedication.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Specer also said:
Blizzard and NetEase have done incredible work to renew our commitment to players—Blizzard's universes have been part of players' lives in the region for many years. Returning Blizzard's legendary games to players in China while exploring ways to bring more new titles to Xbox demonstrates our commitment to bringing more games to more players around the world.
Microsoft may also have had a hand in making this deal happen, as Blizzard had repeatedly reiterated that it planned to get its games back into China over the last few years, but hadn’t actually managed to do so until the recent Microsoft merger. Microsoft has also struck a different deal with NetEase to, “explore bringing new NetEase titles to Xbox consoles and other platforms." This could mean anything from Xbox exclusivity for upcoming NetEase games, to existing NetEase games heading to Xbox Game Pass.
