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In light of Activision Blizzard's announcement of suspending game services in China, NetEase have issued their own statement on this matter. Below is a rough google translation of the news.
Originally Posted by NetEase
Dear Blizzard Gamers:Since Activision Blizzard's license agreement with NetEase will expire on January 23, 2023, based on contract restrictions, starting from 0:00 on January 24, Blizzard will suspend the license agreement in mainland China from Shanghai Netease Network Technology Development Co., Ltd. The game services operated (including "World of Warcraft", "Hearthstone", "Overwatch", "Diablo III", "StarCraft II", "Warcraft III: Remastered Edition", "Heroes of the Storm"), and "Diablo : Immortal service will not be affected.
In 2008, Netease and Blizzard cooperated for the first time. In the past 14 years, starting with "World of Warcraft", we have introduced Blizzard's high-quality games to China step by step, and even achieved global version synchronization. Every time a game is introduced, we are extremely excited, and it also carries our blood and youth.
Inside NetEase, there are also thousands of diehard fans of Blizzard games. Therefore, we have more empathy for the player's mood at the moment. Before today, we have been negotiating with Blizzard with our best efforts and sincerity to seek continued cooperation in mainland China.
But after a long period of negotiations, we are still unable to reach an agreement with Blizzard on some key cooperation terms involving sustainable operations, the Chinese market and the core interests of players. Today, Activision Blizzard announced that it will suspend cooperation with NetEase, and we have to accept this decision. After January 23, 2023, the company will lose its agency rights and will no longer be able to continue to manage and operate these games that carry the memories of players for 14 years.
Next, NetEase will fully perform its duties and serve players until the last moment. We promise that we will do our best to negotiate with Activision Blizzard on issues related to refunds, game data, virtual property, and game rights that everyone cares about, so as to protect the interests of Chinese players to the greatest extent.
At the same time, we will work with Activision Blizzard to achieve "commercial for business, game for games", pay attention to players' voices, cherish everything players have paid for the game, and properly protect everyone's game assets and memories. We strive for both parties to formulate plans as soon as possible, start related work such as refunds as soon as possible, and will continue to inform players about the progress of related work through official channels such as the "Blizzard Game Service Center" official account.
Thanks again to all players for their understanding and support. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. If possible, we hope that Blizzard's departure is only temporary. After stopping the service, we will continue to stick to it in our own way and will not give up easily. I believe that people who meet each other can always meet again.
Blizzard China Statement
NetEase have also posted an official announcement on the Blizzard China website, mentioning that the servers for World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch and other games will be available until January 23, 2023.
Originally Posted by Blizzard China/NetEase
Dear Blizzard Gamers:Thank you for your support and love for Blizzard game products all the time. We are honored to work together with you for 14 years, creating and sharing an unforgettable game experience. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to you again!
As the term of our agreement with our partner Blizzard Entertainment is about to expire, in mainland China operated by Shanghai NetEase Network Technology Development Co., Ltd., "World of Warcraft", "Hearthstone", "Overwatch", "Diablo III" " StarCraft II, Warcraft III: Reforged, and Heroes of the Storm (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Blizzard game products") will cease operations at 0:00 on January 24, 2023. The relevant matters related to the termination of operations in mainland China are hereby notified as follows :
- From November 23, 2022, the recharge service and user registration entrance of Blizzard game products on Battle.net and the client will be closed.
- During the period from November 23, 2022 to January 23, 2023, the servers of Blizzard game products will be open normally, the content update of "World of Warcraft: Dragonflight", "Hearthstone", "Wrath of the Lich King" and "Overwatch" Season 2 content update will be launched as usual, and users can continue to log in and experience the game content. At the same time, the battle.net points and virtual currency retained in the user's account will still be consumed in the battle.net mall.
- Starting at 00:00 on January 24, 2023, the operation of Blizzard game products will be officially stopped, the Battle.net login and all game servers will be closed, and the client download will be closed at the same time.
- After the game server is closed, all account data and character data in each game (including but not limited to characters, remaining game time, game props, materials, recharge information, etc.) game data will be sealed. We will properly handle game data in accordance with the requirements of laws and regulations to protect the legitimate rights and interests of users.
- For the online game virtual currency that the player has recharged but not consumed in the game and the game time (if any) that has been purchased and has not expired (if any), we will start to arrange refunds after the operation of Blizzard game products ceases. For details, please pay attention to and bind "Blizzard Game Service Center" public account.
Please be aware of the above and pass it on to each other . If you have any doubts, please feel free to contact NetEase Blizzard game customer service (online support: www.battlenet.com.cn/support/zh/).
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this termination! We are very grateful for your understanding and forgiveness, and sincerely look forward to your continued support and attention!
Shanghai NetEase Network Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Simon Zhu - President of NetEase Games Statement
Simon Zhu, the President, Global Investment and Partnership of NetEase Games, has also shared his thoughts on the termination on LinkedIn.
Originally Posted by Simon Zhu
As a gamer who spent ten thousand hours in the world of Azeroth, starcraft and overwatch, I feel so heartbroken as I will not longer have the access to my account and memories next year.One day, when what has happened behind the scene could be told, developers and gamers will have a whole new level understanding of how much damage a jerk can make.
Feel terrible for players who lived in those worlds.
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