Sina Science and Technology News, November 17 evening news, today, Blizzard Entertainment announced that due to the current license agreement with NetEase will expire on January 23, 2023, it will suspend most of Blizzard's game services in mainland China. In response, NetEase issued a letter to Blizzard game players, saying that it has tried its best and utmost sincerity to negotiate with Blizzard in order to seek continued cooperation in the Chinese mainland. However, after lengthy negotiations, we were unable to reach an agreement with Blizzard on key terms that were sustainable, relevant to the core interests of the Chinese market and our players.

NetEase said it will continue to fulfill its duties and serve players until the last minute. NetEase promises that it will try its best to negotiate with Activision Blizzard regarding refunds, game data, virtual property, game rights and other issues that you are concerned about, so as to protect the interests of Chinese players to the greatest extent.

NetEase said it hopes both parties will work out a plan as soon as possible to start relevant work such as refund as soon as possible, and will keep players informed of the progress of relevant work through official channels such as the official account of Blizzard Game Service Center.

'If possible, we hope Blizzard's departure will only be temporary,' NetEase said. After stopping, we will continue to stick to it in our own way and never give up. Believe that those who meet can always meet again.

　　The following is the original text:

Fellow Blizzard gamers:

As the license agreement between Activision Blizzard and NetEase will expire on January 23, 2023, based on the contract limitation, starting from 00:00 on January 24, Blizzard will suspend all game services operated by Shanghai Internet Technology Development Co., LTD in mainland China (including World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Diablo III, Starcraft II, Warcraft III: Remastered, and Heroes of the Storm), while Diablo: Immortal services will not be affected.

In 2008, NetEase and Blizzard cooperated for the first time. In the past 14 years, starting with World of Warcraft, we have gradually introduced Blizzard's high-quality games to China and even realized global version synchronization. Every time the introduction of the game, we are very excited, but also carry our blood and youth.

Within NetEase, there are also thousands of die-hard Blizzard fans. As a result, we are more empathetic to what the player is feeling right now. Before today, we have been trying our best and in good faith to negotiate with Blizzard in order to seek continued cooperation in mainland China.

However, after lengthy negotiations, we were unable to reach an agreement with Blizzard on key terms that were sustainable, relevant to the core interests of the Chinese market and our players. Today, Activision Blizzard announced that it will terminate the cooperation with NetEase, and we have to accept this decision. After January 23, 2023, the company will no longer be able to manage and operate the games that have held the memories of players for 14 years.

Next, NetEase will do its best to fulfill its duties and serve players until the last moment. We promise that we will try our best to negotiate with Activision Blizzard regarding refund, game data, virtual property, game rights and other issues that you are concerned about, so as to protect the interests of Chinese players to the greatest extent.

At the same time, we will work with Activision Blizzard to make sure that "business belongs to business and game belongs to game", pay attention to the voice of players, cherish everything players have done for the game, and properly protect their game assets and memories. We strive for both parties to work out a plan as soon as possible and start relevant work such as refund as soon as possible. We will keep players informed of the progress of relevant work through official channels such as the official account of Blizzard Game Service Center.

Thanks again to all players for your understanding and support. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. If possible, we hope that Blizzard's absence will be temporary. After stopping, we will continue to stick to it in our own way and never give up. Believe that those who meet can always meet again.

NetEase Inc.

November 17, 2022