CHINA: Blizzard cements World of Warcraft deal

Leading MMO developer Blizzard has struck a deal with NetEase that will see the Chinese firm handle the studio’s MMO offerings in the region for three years.

The pair had previously announced an agreement for servicing rights on both Starcraft II and Battle.net, but this new deal will see MMO giant World of Warcraft added to the frame.

We appreciate the enthusiasm that Chinese gamers have shown us over the years, and we’ve always worked hard, in collaboration with our partners, to ensure that these players receive the same high-quality service and gameplay experiences that we deliver in other regions,” Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime stated.

This new agreement with NetEase will support that goal for years to come, and we look forward to collaborating with them on a smooth transition for World of Warcraft moving forward.”

NetEase CEO William Ding added: We are excited to be working with Blizzard Entertainment now on World of Warcraft in addition to Warcraft III, StarCraft II, and Battle.net.

By combining Blizzard Entertainment’s expertise in developing world-class games with NetEase’s strength in online-game operation in China, I am confident that we will be able to deliver the best gaming experiences in the world to our players.”