Delightfully petty.
For the past 14 years, NetEase has published and managed all of Blizzard’s games in China. And due to this deal, both companies had grown quite large. However, late last year saw the announcement that this deal between the companies would not be renewed, sparking a word war that culminated in Blizzard blaming NetEase for the problems in renewing the deal for another 6 months under the current terms.
While the reasons behind this are hazy, ultimately NetEase rejected whatever terms Blizzard proposed, and dissolved their teams working on Blizzard games. It’s worth noting that this deal was huge to NetEase, to the point that they actually have a statue of Gorehowl outside the studio.
Rather, I should say had, because in a fit of retribution, NetEase employees destroyed the statue.
WoWhead has video clips of the destruction, thanks to the fact that the entire thing was livestreamed, with clips from it uploaded to Chinese TikTok. By the end, there’s nothing left but rubble.
At the end of the clip, the employees are rewarded with a new drink from NetEase’s coffee shop: Blizzard Green Tea. As WoWhead explains:
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.
-from WoWhead
NetEase wasn’t finished there, though, they also uploaded a strongly-worded statement on the situation to their unofficial Weibo page. The important bits, thanks to Google Translate:
1. Explanation on “NetEase’s rejection of Blizzard’s proposal to extend the service for six months”.
Activision Blizzard announced on November 17, 2022 Beijing time that it will suspend the service of Blizzard games represented by Shanghai NetEase in mainland China, effective at 0:00 on January 24, 2023.
Blizzard China issued the latest statement today (January 17, 2023), stating that during this period, Blizzard has started the work of finding new partners. For unknown reasons, last week Blizzard sought NetEase again, proposed the so-called game service extension for six months and other conditions, and made it clear that it would not stop continuing negotiations with other potential partners during the contract extension period. As far as we know, all negotiations between Blizzard and other companies during the same period were based on a three-year contract period. Considering the unequal, unfair and other conditions attached to the cooperation, the two parties failed to reach an agreement in the end.
We believe that Blizzard’s proposal – including today’s sudden statement – is outrageous, inappropriate, and not in line with business logic. Its excessive self-confidence did not take into account the behavior of this kind of behavior of taking whatever it wants, riding a donkey to find a horse, and never leaving the body, which places players and NetEase.
2. Explanation on media reports that “NetEase wants IP control”.
We are concerned that some media have received rumors that NetEase wants to control Blizzard’s IP. Here, we must make a serious correction: as an agency company, Netease has never sought control over the IP of Blizzard games or other partners. terms of the contract, and obtained the consent and approval of Blizzard. IP cooperation with other partners is also based on this principle.
3. Tips on progress archives for players in World of Warcraft.
Regarding the game progress archive function of “World of Warcraft” that Blizzard China mentioned in its statement about tomorrow (January 18, 2023, Beijing time), we are obliged to remind all players that this function was unilaterally proposed and developed by Blizzard. , has not been tested and used by NetEase, and there may be unknown security risks. Blizzard shall bear full responsibility for the loss of virtual property of players or inability to play due to this function.
They then signed off with the following, and a wish of a happy new year for everyone:
When the farewell is destined to be the final chapter of the story, NetEase still hopes to do its best to accompany the players through the last time and serve the players until the last moment. From now on, no matter where you are, no matter where you are going, may the wind guide your way, and may the stars illuminate your direction.
Of course, the most important thing is to wish everyone a happy new year.
Blizzard is still looking for partners in China, and time is rapidly running out for them. Their previous deal with NetEase ends on January 23rd, after which their games will cease to function in the country. Of course, considering the possibility of CCP involvement, they might not find one.
Source: PC Gamer
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