Why is Overwatch Banned in China?

Overwatch is banned in China due to Blizzard Entertainment‘s failure to reach a licensing agreement with its local partner, NetEase, resulting in the suspension of Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Diablo III, and other Blizzard games in the Chinese market. The ban has affected millions of players in China, who are no longer able to access their favorite Blizzard games, including Overwatch, as of January 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What happened to Blizzard games in China?: Blizzard games, including Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Diablo III, were suspended in China due to the company’s failure to reach a new licensing agreement with NetEase.
2. Can Chinese players still play Overwatch?: While Chinese players can technically play Overwatch through the international version of Steam, they will no longer have access to their old account progress, and the game’s availability is not officially supported in China.
3. Why did Blizzard shut down its games in China?: The shutdown was due to a major fallout between Blizzard and its local partner, NetEase, which had been distributing Blizzard games in China for 14 years.

Game-Specific Questions

4. Is Overwatch 2 banned in China?: Yes, Overwatch 2 is also banned in China, along with other Blizzard games, due to the same licensing agreement issue.
5. What about World of Warcraft?: World of Warcraft is another Blizzard game that is no longer available in China, affecting a large player base in the country.
6. Is Diablo III still available in China?: No, Diablo III is also suspended in China, along with other Blizzard games, due to the lack of a new licensing agreement.

Regional and Regulatory Questions

7. Why does China ban certain games?: China bans games that depict drugs, sexuality, blood, organized crime, or defamation of the Chinese government, and Blizzard games may be subject to these regulations.
8. Has China banned other games besides Blizzard’s?: Yes, China has banned other games, including Fortnite, due to the country’s crackdown on gaming and concerns over gaming addiction among youth.
9. What is the current gaming landscape in China?: The Chinese gaming market is subject to strict regulations, and game developers must comply with government standards to have their games approved for release in the country.

Player and Community Questions

10. What will happen to Chinese Overwatch teams?: The ban on Overwatch in China has affected Chinese Overwatch teams, which may no longer be able to participate in Overwatch League events or compete with other teams.
11. Can Russian players play Fortnite?: No, Russian players are currently banned from playing Fortnite due to sanctions imposed by Epic Games, which prohibit Russian citizens from earning prize money in Fortnite events.
12. Who is the Egyptian girl in Overwatch?: The Egyptian girl in Overwatch is Fareeha Amari, also known as Pharah, a Damage hero in the game.

Miscellaneous Questions

13. Is Blood-C banned in China?: Yes, Blood-C is banned in China due to its bloody violence and stylistic choice, which is not in line with Chinese regulations.
14. Why is My Hero Academia banned in China?: My Hero Academia is banned in China because of a character’s name, Maruta Shiga, which refers to Chinese and Korean victims of human experimentation during World War II.
15. Does China own Blizzard?: No, China does not own Blizzard, which is a US-based company, and the ban on Blizzard games in China is due to licensing and regulatory issues, rather than ownership or control.