Activision Blizzard and NetEase Split: Mainland China Servers to Shut Down

The long-standing partnership between Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase, which began in 2008, has officially come to an end. The two parties failed to reach a renewal agreement, and most Blizzard titles will suspend service in China starting January 2023. Blizzard’s president stated they are seeking alternatives, while NetEase responded by stating they had done their best to negotiate and expressed regret that Blizzard chose to announce the termination unilaterally.

The gaming community reacted with intense frustration. Players criticized Blizzard's perceived arrogance and raised concerns that the suspension could lead to a years-long wait for new government licensing (ISBN/banhao) if the games return at all. The comment section is filled with community members mocking the corporate power play, with some citing financial data showing that Blizzard’s revenue share for NetEase is relatively low, calling the fallout a classic example of American corporate hubris.