NetEase Expresses Strong Dissatisfaction With Blizzard’s Game Agreement Termination

A recreation license settlement between Blizzard and NetEase will expire on January 23, and Blizzard has determined to not renew it. On January 17, every week earlier than Blizzard’s video games would cease being out there in China, Blizzard China mentioned that it mentioned with NetEase once more final week to postpone the present settlement for six months, and made it clear that it will not cease negotiating with different potential companions through the contract extension interval. NetEase didn’t settle for the proposal, and the information invited widespread criticism from Chinese internet customers.

One recreation participant expressed anger within the feedback space of Blizzard’s submit on Weibo, writing, “Blizzard unilaterally terminated the contract. Now it asks NetEase to operate games for another half a year, so it can find another partner.” Another wrote, “NetEase‘s teams responsible for Blizzard’s games are disbanded. Just two weeks before the agreement termination, Blizzard wanted to postpone the agreement. Can’t Blizzard act early for the sake of the players?” Finally, one other wrote, “I am relieved to see that everyone is scolding Blizzard.”

Late at evening on January 17, NetEase printed a response: “For unknown reasons, Blizzard sought NetEase again last week, put forward the proposal of extending the so-called game service for six months and other conditions, and made it clear that it would not stop negotiating with other potential partners during the contract extension period. Blizzard’s negotiations with other companies were all based on the three-year contract period. Considering the unequal, unfair and other conditions attached to the cooperation, the two sides failed to reach an agreement in the end.”

“Blizzard’s proposal, including sudden statements, is outrageous, inappropriate and inconsistent with business logic. Its excessive self-confidence shows that it wants to take whatever it wants, and maintain a job while looking for a better one,” NetEase added.

“Blizzard China issued a document again” and “Blizzard Green Tea” each appeared on Weibo’s prime trendings matters record yesterday. “Green Tea” is slang for Chinese ladies (and others) who faux to be candy and harmless however truly are dishonest. People might have been inspired to undertake this assertion after seeing innocent-looking feminine fashions in inexperienced tea promoting to characterize the purity of the product. Netizens mentioned that Blizzard put a lot of the duty for stopping recreation providers in China on the agent NetEase, and acted like a sufferer.

Some internet customers revealed that the self-operated espresso store of NetEase launched drinks named “Blizzard Green Tea” with a price ticket of 13 yuan ($1.92) and “Blizzard Unhappy” for 28 yuan. A NetEase menu circulated on-line comprises every kind of contemporary inexperienced greens to be in line with the menu in espresso outlets.

As for the rumor that NetEase needs IP management, resulting in the collapse of talks between the 2 events, NetEase mentioned that, as an agent firm, it by no means sought IP management of Blizzard video games or different companions. In the long-term cooperation means of the previous 14 years, NetEase used and licensed any Blizzard IP in accordance with the phrases of the contract, and obtained the consent and approval of Blizzard.

SEE ALSO: Renewal of Deal Between Blizzard and NetEase Breaks Down

In addition, Blizzard talked about that it’s going to launch a recreation progress archiving operate for World of Warcraft gamers on January 18. NetEase mentioned that this operate was unilaterally proposed and developed by Blizzard, and that it has not been examined and utilized by NetEase, so there could also be some unknown potential security hazards.

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