Blizzard Entertainment, in collaboration with NetEase and Microsoft Gaming, has announced plans to reintroduce popular video games such as World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch, and Diablo to the Chinese market starting this summer. This decision comes after more than a year of negotiations following the end of a previous 15-year partnership between Blizzard and NetEase in 2023.
This partnership not only signals the return of some of Blizzard’s most popular games but also opens the door for NetEase to potentially expand its own offerings to Xbox and other platforms globally.
The reentry into the Chinese market is seen as a critical move for Blizzard and Microsoft following the latter’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This move is particularly significant as it follows extensive investments in acquiring other major publishers.
The reintroduction of these games will be phased, with titles being released sequentially rather than all at once. “We are thrilled to reestablish our partnership with NetEase and to work together to deliver legendary gaming experiences to players in China,” said Johanna Faries, President of Blizzard Entertainment, expressing gratitude towards the enduring support from the Chinese gaming community.