Blizzard Entertainment has revealed that certain games will no longer be available due to the suspension of most of the company’s game services in mainland China due to the expiration of the current licensing agreement with NetEase. This includes MMORPG World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Diablo III and other titles of the company.
The Diablo Immortal co-development and publishing is covered under a separate agreement between the two companies.
Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase have been working together since 2008 to publish certain Blizzard titles in China. 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, and the agreements are set to expire in January 2023.
Blizzard will suspend new sales in the coming days and Chinese players will be receiving details of how this will work soon. Upcoming releases for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, Hearthstone: March of the Lich King, and season 2 of Overwatch 2 will proceed later this year.
“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,” said Mike Ybarra, president, Blizzard Entertainment. “Their enthusiasm and creativity inspire us, and we are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future.”
