WoW Shut Down in China, January 23 Hotfixes

Originally Posted by Fight4Fun

How much % of WoW money was from China?

Do we have the numbers?

I read somewhere once (or heard a content creator say) that Activision-Blizzard and NetEase agreement/contract was actually pretty shitty and NetEase got most of the profits. It was an old partnership and, when it was made, Blizzard really only wanted to begin to explore chinese gaming market. So much so that China was actually the least profitable region by far. When the contract ended and the negotiations to renew it begun, Blizzard wanted to get a bigger share of the revenue, but NetEast didn't agree, so they decided to not proceed with negotiations. With Diablo Immortal, however, is a different story.

Now, i don't have any official or reliable source to confirm this, but would made sense because Blizzard so easily dismissed this partnership. Maybe doing some googlefu will help on this matter.

EDIT: I found some information.

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/acti...rship-in-china

"In the meantime, Activision Blizzard is looking at a significant hit to its bottom line. The gaming giant disclosed last week that its deal with NetEase brought in 3% of its annual revenue last year, or $264 million."

Originally Posted by cateran100

"Activision does not have greater power in Activision-Blizzard! Blizzard still doing it's own decision!"
Meanwhile in reality:
"In creating "Activision Blizzard" they needed an executive, and Bobby Kotick, from Activision Publishing was selected as the new CEO of Activision Blizzard. Mike Morhaime, still President of Blizzard at that time, reported up to Bobby Kotick's staff at "Activision Blizzard"

Bobby and an investor group staged a "hostile takeover" meaning that they bought up more than 50% of Activision Blizzard shares. (There's no actual violence in a "hostile takeover" despite the name). I forget which year this happened, but it resulted in greater control."

Activision Blizzard wasn't a new company, FYI, it already existed as a holding company called "Activision", with the original Activision as a subsidiary named "Activision Publishing."

After the holding company "Activision" merged with "Vivendi Games," they renamed it to "Activision Blizzard," and renamed Activision Publishing back to "Activision."

It was widely reported that Mike Morhaime pushed for the merger in the first place, ironically using Blizzard's holdings in the Chinese MMO market as a deal sweetener to convince Kotick, who had cold feet about it.

They did eventually buy controlling interest back from Vivendi Universal, regaining the autonomy Activision had prior to the merge. Not a hostile takeover, if that's what you're talking about. Vivendi was looking to unload their shares.

Originally Posted by FelPlague

He said he was then called by an HR representative to confirm his resignation and he told them that he was still considering it but that he would not work until the policy was retracted.
mate come on now, a policy change takes MONTHS its not something that can be done in a day, and if someone says "i refuse to work for weeks/months" then you fire them, simple as, he knew what he was doing, he was quitting, but he wanted to be fired to gain benefits.

This sounds suspiciously like a normal labor conflict that is fought out in civilized countries all the time. A little strike to get better working conditions for everyone. Sadly he was only one guy so instantly fired, should have founded a union first.

Originally Posted by Twdft

This sounds suspiciously like a normal labor conflict that is fought out in civilized countries all the time. A little strike to get better working conditions for everyone. Sadly he was only one guy so instantly fired, should have founded a union first.

Yeah a union would be good, it is a little strike yeah, and when you are solo you know exactly what is going to happen. smart idea but knew he likely would not have others at his side right away.

Originally Posted by Buffbringer

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/acti...rship-in-china

"In the meantime, Activision Blizzard is looking at a significant hit to its bottom line. The gaming giant disclosed last week that its deal with NetEase brought in 3% of its annual revenue last year, or $264 million."

Now i don't have $264 million just lying about the house, but for a company like Activision, 3% doesn't seem like a huge hit to me...

Originally Posted by Twdft

This sounds suspiciously like a normal labor conflict that is fought out in civilized countries all the time. A little strike to get better working conditions for everyone. Sadly he was only one guy so instantly fired, should have founded a union first.

In the US at least management aren't involved in unions - in fact they're explicitly excluded from them.

Originally Posted by Kathranis

Activision Blizzard wasn't a new company, FYI, it already existed as a holding company called "Activision", with the original Activision as a subsidiary named "Activision Publishing."

After the holding company "Activision" merged with "Vivendi Games," they renamed it to "Activision Blizzard," and renamed Activision Publishing back to "Activision."

It was widely reported that Mike Morhaime pushed for the merger in the first place, ironically using Blizzard's holdings in the Chinese MMO market as a deal sweetener to convince Kotick, who had cold feet about it.

They did eventually buy controlling interest back from Vivendi Universal, regaining the autonomy Activision had prior to the merge. Not a hostile takeover, if that's what you're talking about. Vivendi was looking to unload their shares.

FYI argue with HIM about it....https://mobile.twitter.com/BrianBirm...88536983175168

Originally Posted by Kathranis

I don't know, can come back to haunt you if all your work referrals are to people who say, "Yeah, this guy flaked out and stopped doing his work because he wanted to get fired." And in many (most? all?) states if you're fired for cause, you get no benefits. Refusing to work would be "for cause."

i can't speak to the US, but in the UK, irrespective of how you performed or behaved an employer is legally not allowed to give a negative referral, as it could lead to detrimental circumstances gaining future employment, i'm sure something similar exists in the US but don't quote me on that, so i don't think he has much to worry about.

Originally Posted by rogoth

i can't speak to the US, but in the UK, irrespective of how you performed or behaved an employer is legally not allowed to give a negative referral, as it could lead to detrimental circumstances gaining future employment, i'm sure something similar exists in the US but don't quote me on that, so i don't think he has much to worry about.

LOL no, in the US employers are certainly allowed to give a negative referral.

Originally Posted by oplawlz

LOL no, in the US employers are certainly allowed to give a negative referral.

I believe it might be a state-level issue because here in Florida I absolutely couldn't give a negative referral when confirming an ex-employee's job history. If I was used as an actual reference, I could say whatever I wanted (but that was usually positive).

Originally Posted by Relapses

I believe it might be a state-level issue because here in Florida I absolutely couldn't give a negative referral when confirming an ex-employee's job history. If I was used as an actual reference, I could say whatever I wanted (but that was usually positive).

Work history and a referral aren't the same thing, I've never been in HR so just a job history report isn't something I would know. I've never seen any law regarding negative employment reviews though, as you say maybe something at a state level - but that would be odd from a free speech standpoint as the US recognizes companies as individuals protected by such.
Sounds like a horrible law anyway, can't imagine someone getting canned for gross negligence being able to just walk into the same position at another company.

No doubt brutal on dedicated chinese players, it must suck to be stuck between moneymen and powerbrokers like that.

Originally Posted by Neotart

it was legit posted why....China wanted all data rights. Blizzard has the right to protect its players info, China didnt agree. ergo breakup

Wait, it was? Where was that announced?

Originally Posted by oplawlz

Sounds like a horrible law anyway, can't imagine someone getting canned for gross negligence being able to just walk into the same position at another company.

HR have their own codes. For exemple when you ask if a person is eligible for a rehire at that previous employer. If the answer is no, then you know that there is some kind of problems with that employee.