Article 1
Archive 1
Blizzard China has released a lengthy statement noting their failure to negotiate a six month extension to the impending shut down of Blizzard games services in China on January 23rd, along with an update for Chinese players to backup their game progress and the continued search for a new publishing partner.
Blizzard China said:
"We approached NetEase again last week for assistance in exploring a six-month extension of our existing agreement, which is based on terms NetEase has agreed to in 2019, to allow everyone to continue playing without disruption and for Blizzard to continue exploring a reasonable and long-term path forward in the China region. Unfortunately, NetEase did not accept our proposal to extend the existing game service agreement following last week's extension negotiations. We will therefore have to comply with NetEase's offer. Therefore, we will have to follow NetEase's suspension announcement to discontinue the game service in China on January 23."
Perhaps related, we also learned that NetEase has already disbanded the local team working on titles licensed from Blizzard Entertainment, as reported by the South China Morning Post via WCC Tech. With those employees already laid off or reassigned, leaving only a skeleton crew of 10 to cover customer service and technical issues, it's unclear whether that had anything to do with NetEase's decision to turn down Blizzard's extension - it's also possible the terms of the deal were not favorable for them, or NetEase was simply tired of dealing with Blizzard, as some other sources have suggested.
Blizzard China said:
"About player's progress archive:
It's important for everyone at Blizzard to properly save your game progress, items and memories - we create these worlds so that you can feel you are a part of them. We want you to be able to move on from where you left off. We hope that NetEase will follow its previous end of service announcement and properly seal all players' game data. To give CN World of Warcraft players an additional peace of mind, in addition to the game data sealing provided by NetEase; Blizzard will also launch a feature tomorrow (January 18, Beijing time) that will allow CN World of Warcraft players to download their game progress for the future. When the game comes back online in the future, you will be able to upload your saved game history in order to continue playing. This feature will continue to be available until the game ends service in China. We will share more information about the World of Warcraft progress archive with you on Weibo."
Blizzard China said:
"On the progress of finding new partners:
We have started talks with a number of potential partners who share our player-first values. We continue to prioritize potential partners that can provide high quality and consistent game play, create a positive gaming environment both inside and outside of the game, and work with us to bring our games back to our players in China. We will share new developments with you in the future. Unfortunately, NetEase is unwilling to extend the service for six months based on the terms of the existing partnership while we look for a new partner. However, we will not give up and will still do our best for everyone. We want you to understand that it's not over yet. We will still try to find a national partner who shares our beliefs."
Article 2
Archive 2
Following Blizzard's update on the situation in China, which bemoaned their inability to secure a six-month extension prior to the shutdown of Blizzard games services in China, NetEase has issued a fiery response to the implication that they are at fault for the breakdown of negotiations and tore down their local Orc statue live on stream.
NetEase said:
"Today, Blizzard China published "Blizzard on the China region player community update note" through its official WeiBo, some of the news directly pointed to NetEase, and because of the content, triggered a lot of market and media criticism, we would like to explain the following.
First, about "NetEase refused the six-month service extension proposed by Blizzard" explanation.
On November 17, 2022, Activision Blizzard announced that it would suspend the service of Blizzard games distributed by Shanghai NetEase in mainland China, effective at 00:00 on January 24, 2023.
Blizzard China issued an updated statement today (January 17, 2023) stating that during this period Blizzard has initiated a search for a new partner. For unknowable reasons, last week Blizzard re-sought NetEase with an offer of a so-called six-month extension of the game service and other conditions, and made it clear that it would not stop continuing negotiations with other potential partners during the contract extension. And as far as we know, Blizzard's negotiations with other companies during the same period were all based on a three-year contract period. Considering the non-reciprocity, unfairness and other conditions attached to the cooperation, therefore, the parties could not reach an agreement in the end.
In our view, Blizzard's proposal - including today's surprise announcement - is brash, unseemly and commercially illogical. Its overconfidence does not take into account where players and NetEase have been placed by this kind of demand everything, Riding a mule while looking for a horse, and divorce but still try to live together behavior.
Second, the media reported that "NetEase wants to control the IP" statement.
We are concerned that some media have received rumors that NetEase wants to control Blizzard IP. In the past 14 years of long-term cooperation, NetEase has used and licensed any Blizzard IP in accordance with the terms of the contract, and has obtained Blizzard's consent and approval. All IP cooperation with other partners is also based on this principle.
Third, some tips about the progress archives of World of Warcraft game players.
For Blizzard China in its statement mentioned about tomorrow (Beijing time January 18, 2023) launch of the "World of Warcraft" game progress archive feature, we are obliged to remind all players, this feature by Blizzard is unilaterally proposed and developed online, without NetEase side testing, use, there may be unknown security risks. If this feature causes loss of virtual property or inability to play, Blizzard shall bear full responsibility.
Description as above, commitment as follows.
When the farewell is destined to become the final chapter of the story, NetEase also still hope to do their best to accompany the players through the last time, to serve the players to the last moment. From now on, no matter where you are, no matter where you want to go, may the wind guide your path, may the stars light your way forward.
Of course, the most important thing is to wish everyone a happy New Year."
Interestingly, the last point touching on Blizzards "untested archive feature" may have proved prophetic, as some (though not all) players have reported issues with the service resulting in an inability to login or download their information and servers were hastily taken offline to try to address the issue. Others have been able to back up their account successfully, but with less than a week remaining, hopefully it will get sorted before time runs out.
Those who participated in the deconstruction efforts were rewarded with a brand new drink from NetEase's coffee shop - Blizzard Green Tea. While this may seem odd, "Green Tea" is a modern Chinese slur referring to a manipulative person who tries to appear wholesome, innocent, or traditional, but is decidedly not so (that's the nice way of putting it). Clearly, NetEase has very strong feelings toward their recent negotiations with Blizzard Entertainment.
Archive 1
Blizzard China Update - Extension Denied, NetEase Dissolves Blizzard Team
Blizzard China has released a lengthy statement noting their failure to negotiate a six month extension to the impending shut down of Blizzard games services in China on January 23rd, along with an update for Chinese players to backup their game progress and the continued search for a new publishing partner.
Dear national service players:
Through today's letter, we would like to express our gratitude to Blizzard Entertainment for its game service status in the national service area.
Make some instructions at home.
We understand that since the relevant announcement of Netease was released, everyone has been very familiar with this period of time.,
And we ourselves are deeply worried.We always put players first, no matter where you come from
Which corner of the world.Everyone's sense of uncertainty about the future also makes those of us who have served the national service players club
Blizzard colleagues in the district for 20 years felt very painful.
Many Blizzard colleagues are gamers. We met many lifelong friends through video games.
Friends, I have gained many precious memories.These game spaces are of great significance to us, allowing us to enjoy the fun and become a player who loves Blizzard games. We understand the importance of games to people very well How important is it. Many National service players have also sent messages and emails to share your feelings, you can't play When it comes to the pain of favorite games, you and Blizzard games, and even Blizzard's early classic games, have become the same.
Long experience, you have been players of Blizzard games since then.Every email is read to let us
Xiaoshu was shocked.
It is precisely out of our personal experience as gamers and what national service players have expressed to us.
To our chagrin, we contacted Netease again last week and asked for assistance to discuss the existing, web-based
In 2019, the agreement on the established terms has been agreed to be postponed for six months, so that everyone can be protected from interference.
Continuing the game disturbingly also allows Blizzard to continue to explore a reasonable and long-term development path in the national service area in the future.
Unfortunately, Netease did not accept our request to postpone the existing game service after last week's postponement negotiations.
Proposal for service agreement.Therefore, we will have to comply with the announcement of the suspension of service of <url> to stop China on January 23.
Service game service.
In view of this unfortunate result, we would like to reiterate our commitment to national service players, and at the same time with the university
Home to share the latest news we can provide so far:
About the player's game progress archive:
Properly seal everyone's game progress, items, equipment, and good memories. For everyone in Blizzard,
As far as things are concerned, they are all important
-We created these worlds to make you feel that you are
Part of it.We hope you can move on from where you left before.We hope
Netease can properly seal the game data of all players in accordance with its previous suspension announcement.
In order to give "World of Warcraft" national service players more peace of mind, the games provided by Netzhiyi
In addition to data archiving, Blizzard will also launch a feature tomorrow (January 18, Beijing time) to allow
"World of Warcraft" National Service players download their own game progress for future use.Future national service tour
When the game is back online, everyone can upload the game history saved in their hands in order to continue the game.this
This function will continue to be activated until the national service is discontinued.We will also share more about it with you on Weibo in the future
Information on the progress archive of World of Warcraft.
About refund:
As mentioned in the announcement released by Netzhiyi on November 17, 2022, for players in
Online game virtual currency that has been recharged but not consumed in the game, as well as games that have been purchased for a fee and have not expired.
During the game time (if any), we expect that Netzhiyi will open a refund application channel later, please close for details.
Note the release of refund-related information on <url>.
Progress on finding new partners:
We have held meetings with a number of potential partners who share our player-first values
talk.We will give priority to such potential partners: can provide players with high-quality and stable
Game services can create a positive game environment inside and outside the game, and can work with us to try our best to
Our game is brought back to national service players.We will share new developments with you in the future.
Unfortunately, Netease is unwilling to build on existing cooperation while we are looking for a new partner.
The terms postpone the game service for six months so that everyone can continue the game during this period of time.But we won't
Therefore, if you give up, you will still do your best for everyone.We hope everyone understands that the matter is still not over.I
We will still work hard to find national service partners with common beliefs.
We will do our best to share relevant progress with you now and in the future.
Thank you to everyone who read here, and I hope you all understand: whether it is in the upcoming New Year or not.
In the future, we and every Blizzard colleague will not change our minds about all national service players.
Through today's letter, we would like to express our gratitude to Blizzard Entertainment for its game service status in the national service area.
Make some instructions at home.
We understand that since the relevant announcement of Netease was released, everyone has been very familiar with this period of time.,
And we ourselves are deeply worried.We always put players first, no matter where you come from
Which corner of the world.Everyone's sense of uncertainty about the future also makes those of us who have served the national service players club
Blizzard colleagues in the district for 20 years felt very painful.
Many Blizzard colleagues are gamers. We met many lifelong friends through video games.
Friends, I have gained many precious memories.These game spaces are of great significance to us, allowing us to enjoy the fun and become a player who loves Blizzard games. We understand the importance of games to people very well How important is it. Many National service players have also sent messages and emails to share your feelings, you can't play When it comes to the pain of favorite games, you and Blizzard games, and even Blizzard's early classic games, have become the same.
Long experience, you have been players of Blizzard games since then.Every email is read to let us
Xiaoshu was shocked.
It is precisely out of our personal experience as gamers and what national service players have expressed to us.
To our chagrin, we contacted Netease again last week and asked for assistance to discuss the existing, web-based
In 2019, the agreement on the established terms has been agreed to be postponed for six months, so that everyone can be protected from interference.
Continuing the game disturbingly also allows Blizzard to continue to explore a reasonable and long-term development path in the national service area in the future.
Unfortunately, Netease did not accept our request to postpone the existing game service after last week's postponement negotiations.
Proposal for service agreement.Therefore, we will have to comply with the announcement of the suspension of service of <url> to stop China on January 23.
Service game service.
In view of this unfortunate result, we would like to reiterate our commitment to national service players, and at the same time with the university
Home to share the latest news we can provide so far:
About the player's game progress archive:
Properly seal everyone's game progress, items, equipment, and good memories. For everyone in Blizzard,
As far as things are concerned, they are all important
-We created these worlds to make you feel that you are
Part of it.We hope you can move on from where you left before.We hope
Netease can properly seal the game data of all players in accordance with its previous suspension announcement.
In order to give "World of Warcraft" national service players more peace of mind, the games provided by Netzhiyi
In addition to data archiving, Blizzard will also launch a feature tomorrow (January 18, Beijing time) to allow
"World of Warcraft" National Service players download their own game progress for future use.Future national service tour
When the game is back online, everyone can upload the game history saved in their hands in order to continue the game.this
This function will continue to be activated until the national service is discontinued.We will also share more about it with you on Weibo in the future
Information on the progress archive of World of Warcraft.
About refund:
As mentioned in the announcement released by Netzhiyi on November 17, 2022, for players in
Online game virtual currency that has been recharged but not consumed in the game, as well as games that have been purchased for a fee and have not expired.
During the game time (if any), we expect that Netzhiyi will open a refund application channel later, please close for details.
Note the release of refund-related information on <url>.
Progress on finding new partners:
We have held meetings with a number of potential partners who share our player-first values
talk.We will give priority to such potential partners: can provide players with high-quality and stable
Game services can create a positive game environment inside and outside the game, and can work with us to try our best to
Our game is brought back to national service players.We will share new developments with you in the future.
Unfortunately, Netease is unwilling to build on existing cooperation while we are looking for a new partner.
The terms postpone the game service for six months so that everyone can continue the game during this period of time.But we won't
Therefore, if you give up, you will still do your best for everyone.We hope everyone understands that the matter is still not over.I
We will still work hard to find national service partners with common beliefs.
We will do our best to share relevant progress with you now and in the future.
Thank you to everyone who read here, and I hope you all understand: whether it is in the upcoming New Year or not.
In the future, we and every Blizzard colleague will not change our minds about all national service players.
Extension No Go
According to the the lengthy statement, Blizzard reached out to NetEase about a possible six month extension to their licensing agreement, and although we don't know the details of the extension, it was turned down.Blizzard China said:
"We approached NetEase again last week for assistance in exploring a six-month extension of our existing agreement, which is based on terms NetEase has agreed to in 2019, to allow everyone to continue playing without disruption and for Blizzard to continue exploring a reasonable and long-term path forward in the China region. Unfortunately, NetEase did not accept our proposal to extend the existing game service agreement following last week's extension negotiations. We will therefore have to comply with NetEase's offer. Therefore, we will have to follow NetEase's suspension announcement to discontinue the game service in China on January 23."
Perhaps related, we also learned that NetEase has already disbanded the local team working on titles licensed from Blizzard Entertainment, as reported by the South China Morning Post via WCC Tech. With those employees already laid off or reassigned, leaving only a skeleton crew of 10 to cover customer service and technical issues, it's unclear whether that had anything to do with NetEase's decision to turn down Blizzard's extension - it's also possible the terms of the deal were not favorable for them, or NetEase was simply tired of dealing with Blizzard, as some other sources have suggested.
Backup Game Data
Separately, the statement also included an update on the previously announced plan to backup account data, allowing players to save all of their game progress for a time in which service is restored. Blizzard will be rolling out the feature starting tomorrow, allowing players to create a local copy of their account and character information for safekeeping.Blizzard China said:
"About player's progress archive:
It's important for everyone at Blizzard to properly save your game progress, items and memories - we create these worlds so that you can feel you are a part of them. We want you to be able to move on from where you left off. We hope that NetEase will follow its previous end of service announcement and properly seal all players' game data. To give CN World of Warcraft players an additional peace of mind, in addition to the game data sealing provided by NetEase; Blizzard will also launch a feature tomorrow (January 18, Beijing time) that will allow CN World of Warcraft players to download their game progress for the future. When the game comes back online in the future, you will be able to upload your saved game history in order to continue playing. This feature will continue to be available until the game ends service in China. We will share more information about the World of Warcraft progress archive with you on Weibo."
Searching for a New Partner
Finally, the release ends with another note that Blizzard is continuing to search for a new local licensing partner, again pointing to NetEase for failing to extend the existing agreement. How long it might take to find a partner and get everything set up is still unknown, though, and doesn't bode well for Chinese players. The last time Blizzard changed licensing partners, from The9 to NetEase in 2009, Chinese players were stuck in The Burning Crusade for nearly year after the rest of the world had moved onto Wrath of the Lich King.Blizzard China said:
"On the progress of finding new partners:
We have started talks with a number of potential partners who share our player-first values. We continue to prioritize potential partners that can provide high quality and consistent game play, create a positive gaming environment both inside and outside of the game, and work with us to bring our games back to our players in China. We will share new developments with you in the future. Unfortunately, NetEase is unwilling to extend the service for six months based on the terms of the existing partnership while we look for a new partner. However, we will not give up and will still do our best for everyone. We want you to understand that it's not over yet. We will still try to find a national partner who shares our beliefs."
Article 2
Archive 2
NetEase Response to Blizzard Entertainment - Local Orc Statue Torn Down
Following Blizzard's update on the situation in China, which bemoaned their inability to secure a six-month extension prior to the shutdown of Blizzard games services in China, NetEase has issued a fiery response to the implication that they are at fault for the breakdown of negotiations and tore down their local Orc statue live on stream.
NetEase said:
"Today, Blizzard China published "Blizzard on the China region player community update note" through its official WeiBo, some of the news directly pointed to NetEase, and because of the content, triggered a lot of market and media criticism, we would like to explain the following.
First, about "NetEase refused the six-month service extension proposed by Blizzard" explanation.
On November 17, 2022, Activision Blizzard announced that it would suspend the service of Blizzard games distributed by Shanghai NetEase in mainland China, effective at 00:00 on January 24, 2023.
Blizzard China issued an updated statement today (January 17, 2023) stating that during this period Blizzard has initiated a search for a new partner. For unknowable reasons, last week Blizzard re-sought NetEase with an offer of a so-called six-month extension of the game service and other conditions, and made it clear that it would not stop continuing negotiations with other potential partners during the contract extension. And as far as we know, Blizzard's negotiations with other companies during the same period were all based on a three-year contract period. Considering the non-reciprocity, unfairness and other conditions attached to the cooperation, therefore, the parties could not reach an agreement in the end.
In our view, Blizzard's proposal - including today's surprise announcement - is brash, unseemly and commercially illogical. Its overconfidence does not take into account where players and NetEase have been placed by this kind of demand everything, Riding a mule while looking for a horse, and divorce but still try to live together behavior.
Second, the media reported that "NetEase wants to control the IP" statement.
We are concerned that some media have received rumors that NetEase wants to control Blizzard IP. In the past 14 years of long-term cooperation, NetEase has used and licensed any Blizzard IP in accordance with the terms of the contract, and has obtained Blizzard's consent and approval. All IP cooperation with other partners is also based on this principle.
Third, some tips about the progress archives of World of Warcraft game players.
For Blizzard China in its statement mentioned about tomorrow (Beijing time January 18, 2023) launch of the "World of Warcraft" game progress archive feature, we are obliged to remind all players, this feature by Blizzard is unilaterally proposed and developed online, without NetEase side testing, use, there may be unknown security risks. If this feature causes loss of virtual property or inability to play, Blizzard shall bear full responsibility.
Description as above, commitment as follows.
When the farewell is destined to become the final chapter of the story, NetEase also still hope to do their best to accompany the players through the last time, to serve the players to the last moment. From now on, no matter where you are, no matter where you want to go, may the wind guide your path, may the stars light your way forward.
Of course, the most important thing is to wish everyone a happy New Year."
Interestingly, the last point touching on Blizzards "untested archive feature" may have proved prophetic, as some (though not all) players have reported issues with the service resulting in an inability to login or download their information and servers were hastily taken offline to try to address the issue. Others have been able to back up their account successfully, but with less than a week remaining, hopefully it will get sorted before time runs out.
NetEase Cutting Ties - Literally
For their part, NetEase has completely dismantled their Blizzard offices, going so far as to dismantle their local Orc statue in an event which was live streamed for around 30,000 people at the time and has been shared across Chinese social media since.Those who participated in the deconstruction efforts were rewarded with a brand new drink from NetEase's coffee shop - Blizzard Green Tea. While this may seem odd, "Green Tea" is a modern Chinese slur referring to a manipulative person who tries to appear wholesome, innocent, or traditional, but is decidedly not so (that's the nice way of putting it). Clearly, NetEase has very strong feelings toward their recent negotiations with Blizzard Entertainment.
