After more than a year of absence, Blizzard games are finally making a comeback in China thanks to a new deal with NetEase. The popular games like Hearthstone, Overwatch 2, and World of Warcraft were unavailable in the country since January 23, 2023, when Blizzard’s licensing agreements with NetEase fell through.
Negotiations to renew the agreements between Blizzard and NetEase had failed, leading to the suspension of Blizzard games in China. However, this week, Blizzard announced that it had signed a new deal with NetEase, which will bring back its iconic titles to Chinese gamers this summer.
Blizzard’s president, Johanna Faries, expressed excitement about reestablishing the partnership with NetEase and delivering legendary gaming experiences to players in China. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer also praised the collaboration between Blizzard and NetEase, highlighting the importance of bringing Blizzard’s games back to players in the region.
The recent Microsoft merger may have played a role in facilitating this deal, as Blizzard had been striving to reintroduce its games in China for years. Microsoft’s partnership with NetEase to explore bringing new titles to Xbox consoles and platforms further solidifies the gaming giant’s commitment to expanding its reach globally.
With the renewed agreement between Blizzard and NetEase, Chinese gamers can look forward to diving back into the immersive worlds of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft once again. The return of these beloved games marks a significant milestone for both companies and the gaming community in China.