Blizzard to End Game Sales and Services in China on January 23, 2023 – Gaming – News

Blizzard Entertainment is ending game sales and services in China. The American game developer has not reached an agreement with its Chinese publisher NetEase. As a result, Chinese gamers will no longer be able to play the company’s games starting January 23, 2023.

Blizzard poses in a press release that an agreement could not be reached with NetEase in line with the company’s principles and commitment to its customers and employees. As a result, the current deal with NetEase will expire on January 23, 2023 and games such as World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, and Diablo III will no longer be playable or officially on sale in China by that time. Date. Diablo Immortal will still be offered in China because, according to NetEase, this game is under a different deal. World of Warcraft Dragonflight expansion, Hearthstone March of the Lich King expansion, and Overwatch Season 2 will be released in China in the coming weeks.

Blizzard believes that game sales will be suspended in China for the next few days and Chinese players will be notified. The company regrets having to leave the Chinese market after 14 years of presence and says it is looking for alternatives to bring its games and services back to the Chinese market. When, and in cooperation with which Chinese publisher this will happen, is unclear.

Update8:45am: Title and introduction changed to clarify that it covers both game sales and services of Blizzard in China.