The decision came at a time when a silver lining appears in China’s gaming industry, which has been hit with heavy-handed regulations over the last few years. “The two parties have not reached a deal to renew the agreements that is consistent with Blizzard’s operating principles and commitments to players and employees, and the agreements are set to expire in January 2023,” said Blizzard. The companies each released their own response explaining how they reached the end of the marriage. This could mean the game will likely continue its service in China. Diablo Immortal co-development and publishing is covered under a separate agreement between the two companies, Blizzard said.
That includes the likes of World of Warcraft, Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch, the StarCraft series and Diablo III. All told, Blizzard has been providing gaming services in China through various partners, including Electronic Arts-backed The9, for 20 years.įrom January 2023, most of Blizzard’s titles will stop operating in China.
In a somewhat surprising turn, Blizzard Activision, the California-based gaming publisher behind global hits like World of Warcraft and Overwatch, will be suspending most of its games in China due to the expiration of licensing agreements with NetEase, the second-largest gaming company in the country.īlizzard’s announcement is set to end a 14-year licensing partnership between the two gaming giants.
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