Activision Bl...+1.98%
NetEase+7.20%
Activision Blizzard to stop game services in China
Blizzard Entertainment Inc. revealed it will be suspending the majority of its game services in mainland China due to the expiration of the current licensing contracts with NetEase Inc. expiring on January 23 next year, as the two parties failed to reach an agreement to renew the operations.
"We're immensely grateful for the passion our Chinese community has shown throughout the nearly 20 years we've been bringing our games to China through NetEase and other partners," Blizzard Entertainment President Mike Ybarra said. "We are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future," he added.
The decision will impact fans of World of Warcraft, Warcraft, and Hearthstone among other games, with the new sales expected to be stopped in the coming days. "Upcoming releases for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, Hearthstone: March of the Lich King, and season 2 of Overwatch 2 will proceed later this year," the statement revealed.