Blizzard and NetEase End Partnership: Major Service Suspensions Announced

Blizzard Entertainment officially announced on November 16 that their licensing agreement with NetEase is set to expire on January 23, 2023. Due to a failure to reach a renewal agreement that aligns with Blizzard's operational principles, most game services in mainland China will be suspended, with the exception of 'Diablo Immortal,' which is governed by a separate agreement.

The news caused an immediate uproar in the community. Players are debating whether NetEase (jokingly referred to as 'the Pig Farm' due to their massive size and monetization) or Blizzard is to blame for the split. Some criticize the Chinese publisher's greed, while others point to Blizzard's poor recent management and exorbitant demands. Rumors are circulating about whether Tencent (the 'Goose') might take over, with many comparing this to the historic loss of the WoW license by The9 (NineCity) years ago.

With the 'World of Warcraft' 10.0 expansion looming, players are left in a state of uncertainty. While some long-time fans were ironically moved to see the forgotten 'Heroes of the Storm' mentioned in the statement, the general sentiment remains cynical, with many feeling that the games are already in such a poor state that a change in management might not make much of a difference.