Blizzard Entertainment has announced that it will almost completely withdraw from the Chinese market. World of Warcraft, Diablo 3, Starcraft, Overwatch 2 and other games will soon no longer be available there. The background is a failed deal with the publisher NetEase.

Blizzard announces games withdrawal from China

Blizzard has officially announced that the long-standing partnership with NetEase in China will no longer be continued. This has direct consequences for Chinese gamers: As of January 23, 2023, they will lose online access to games such as World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft 3: Reforged, Overwatch, Diablo 3 and Heroes of the Storm. In addition, there are all the games in the Starcraft series.

Already “in the coming days” should Discontinued sale of the games in China be, a specific date is not known. A glimmer of hope is Diablo Immortal. The game for smartphones and tablets will apparently continue to be offered in China, as a separate agreement applies here. There will also be expansions like Dragonflight for World of Warcraft and March of the Lich King for Hearthstone for Chinese gamers.

Between Blizzard and NetEase existed a partnership since 2008. Now the current contract will not be extended. A reason is not given, but there is said to have been a dispute between the two in the course of the World of Warcraft Mobile development stop.

What does Microsoft think of this step?

China: Blizzard says thank you and disappears

Blizzard President Mike Ybarra thanks Chinese gamers. be “endlessly grateful for the passion” the Chinese community. Ybarra also says that “alternatives” are being sought in order to be able to provide games in China again in the future (source: BlizzardEntertainment).