Blizzard Entertainment , to Pull 'World of Warcraft', From China's Game Market.<br />On November 17, Blizzard Entertainment <br />announced that it was suspending most <br />of its gaming services in China. .<br />'The New York Times' reports that some of America's most <br />popular gaming franchises, including 'World of Warcraft' <br />and 'Diablo,' will no longer be available in the country.<br />'The New York Times' reports that some of America's most <br />popular gaming franchises, including 'World of Warcraft' <br />and 'Diablo,' will no longer be available in the country.<br />A 14-year partnership between two <br />of the world's largest gaming companies <br />will come to an end in the beginning of 2023.<br />The decision reportedly stems from Activision Blizzard <br />failing to renew its licensing agreement with <br />Chinese publisher and internet company NetEase.<br />The decision reportedly stems from Activision Blizzard <br />failing to renew its licensing agreement with <br />Chinese publisher and internet company NetEase.<br />According to the U.S. game developer, the two <br />companies were unable to reach a deal that was , “consistent with Blizzard’s operating principles <br />and commitments to players and employees.”.<br />According to the U.S. game developer, the two <br />companies were unable to reach a deal that was , “consistent with Blizzard’s operating principles <br />and commitments to players and employees.”.<br />Activision Blizzard is expected to pull <br />their games from the Chinese <br />market in the coming days.<br />In a NetEase news release, CEO Wililam Ding cited , "material differences on key terms" as the reason <br />for the longstanding partnership coming to an end.<br />In a NetEase news release, CEO Wililam Ding cited , "material differences on key terms" as the reason <br />for the longstanding partnership coming to an end.<br />The 'NYT' reports that Blizzard could still partner <br />with another Chinese distributor, like Tencent, to <br />reestablish its presence in the Chinese game market.<br />The 'NYT' reports that Blizzard could still partner <br />with another Chinese distributor, like Tencent, to <br />reestablish its presence in the Chinese game market.<br />In August of 2021, Beijing imposed a crackdown <br />on games, placing even stricter limits <br />and restrictions on the market.<br />The restrictions were part of a larger push by the Chinese <br />government to pull China's technology companies closer <br />to central government concerns like antitrust and security.<br />The restrictions were part of a larger push by the Chinese <br />government to pull China's technology companies closer <br />to central government concerns like antitrust and security
