Why did WoW shut down?
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World of Warcraft (WoW) shut down in China due to a licensing disagreement between Activision Blizzard, the title owner of World of Warcraft, and its partner, the Chinese gaming giant NetEase, which resulted in the suspension of services and shutdown of servers in the country. The breakdown of the Blizzard-NetEase partnership ended a deal worth around $750 million per year, leaving more than three million Chinese players without access to games such as World of Warcraft.
Introduction to the Shutdown
Background Information
The shutdown of World of Warcraft in China has raised several questions among gamers and fans of the popular MMORPG. To provide more insight into the situation, we will delve into the details of the licensing disagreement and explore the impact of the shutdown on Chinese players.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Will World of Warcraft ever shutdown?: World of Warcraft is still the most played MMO on the planet, even if it’s on the decline, and it’s unlikely to shut down anytime soon.
- What did Blizzard do to NetEase?: The breakdown of the Blizzard-NetEase partnership ended a deal worth around $750 million per year, according to research firm Niko Partners.
- Did millions of Chinese lose access to WoW?: Yes, millions of gamers in China lost access to World of Warcraft overnight when the game servers were shut down.
- Why did NetEase and Blizzard split up?: The companies failed to reach an agreement, with Blizzard suggesting NetEase’s proposals ran contrary to its operating principles, and NetEase implying Blizzard negotiated in bad faith.
- Why is Blizzard getting sued?: Blizzard is facing a lawsuit alleging that it has fostered a “frat boy” culture in which female employees endure regular sexual harassment and experience discrimination and retaliation.
China-Specific Questions
- Why was Blizzard kicked out of China?: Blizzard was not exactly “kicked out” of China, but rather, its games were shut down due to a licensing disagreement with NetEase.
- Why can’t China play WoW anymore?: Chinese players can’t play World of Warcraft anymore because the dissolved partnership between Blizzard and NetEase meant that all of Blizzard’s games in China were shut down.
- Is WoW illegal in China?: World of Warcraft is not illegal in China, but it’s currently unavailable due to the licensing disagreement.
- Why is WoW not allowed in China?: World of Warcraft is not allowed in China because Blizzard and NetEase failed to reach a new agreement, resulting in the shutdown of the game’s servers.
Ownership and Future Questions
- Does China own Blizzard?: No, China does not own Blizzard, which is a US-based company.
- Will WoW come back to China?: Blizzard is still looking for a new partner to bring its games back to Chinese players, but for now, there’s no return in sight.
- Who owns World of Warcraft?: Microsoft now owns the Activision Blizzard gaming series, including World of Warcraft, following a recent acquisition.
Gaming Industry Questions
- Is World of Warcraft still addictive?: Yes, World of Warcraft is still known to be addictive, with some players reporting losing months or even years of their lives playing the game.
- Should I play WoW in 2023?: While World of Warcraft may not be as impressive as it used to be, it still holds up in 2023, and every version of the game has its merits.
- Why is Overwatch banned in China?: Overwatch, along with other Blizzard games, is currently unavailable in China due to the licensing disagreement between Blizzard and NetEase.