NetEase company on the “Blizzard on the national service player community update note” issued a note, NetEase said last week Blizzard re-sought NetEase company, put forward the so-called game service by six months of the proposal and other conditions, and made it clear that during the contract continuation will not stop with other potential partners to continue negotiations. NetEase said it understands that Blizzard’s negotiations with other companies during the same period were all based on a three-year contract period. Considering the non-reciprocity, unfairness and other conditions attached to the cooperation, the two parties could not reach an agreement in the end.
NetEase also said, “Some media outlets have received reports of rumors that NetEase wants control of Blizzard’s IP. As a distributor, NetEase has never sought IP control of Blizzard games or other partners. In the past 14 years of long-term cooperation, NetEase’s use and licensing of any Blizzard IP has been in accordance with the terms of the contract and with Blizzard’s consent and approval. IP collaborations with other partners are also based on this principle.”
NetEase also reminds players that the World of Warcraft game progress archive feature mentioned by Blizzard China in its statement about the launch (January 18, 2023) is unilaterally proposed and developed online by Blizzard, and has not been tested and used by NetEase, and may have unknown security risks. If this function causes players to lose their virtual property or be unable to play, Blizzard should take full responsibility.
The full text is as follows.
Today, Blizzard China through its official microblogging published “Blizzard on the national service player community update instructions”, some of the news directly refers to NetEase, and therefore the content, triggered the market and the media many non-committal, we would like to explain the following.
First, the “NetEase refused the six-month service extension proposed by Blizzard” explanation.
On November 17, 2022, Activision Blizzard announced that it would suspend the service of Blizzard games distributed by NetEase Shanghai in mainland China, effective at 00:00 on January 24, 2023.
Blizzard China issued an updated statement today (January 17, 2023) stating that Blizzard has initiated a search for a new partner in the interim. For unspecified reasons, Blizzard re-sought NetEase last week with an offer for a so-called six-month extension of the game service and other conditions, and made it clear that it would not stop continuing negotiations with other potential partners during the contract extension. And as far as we know, Blizzard’s negotiations with other companies during the same period were all based on a three-year contract period. Considering the non-reciprocity, unfairness and other conditions attached to the cooperation, therefore, the parties could not reach an agreement in the end.
We believe that Blizzard’s proposal — including today’s surprise announcement — is arbitrary, unseemly and commercially illogical. Its overconfidence does not take into account where players and NetEase have been placed by this kind of give-and-take, donkey-riding, divorce-defying behavior.
Second, in some media reports “NetEase wants IP control” statement explanation.
We are concerned that some media have received rumors that NetEase wants control of Blizzard’s IP. As a distributor, NetEase has never sought IP control of Blizzard games or other partners. In the past 14 years of long-term cooperation, NetEase has used and licensed any Blizzard IP in accordance with the terms of the contract and with the consent and approval of Blizzard. All IP cooperation with other partners is also based on this principle.
III. Tips on archiving World of Warcraft gameplay progress.
For Blizzard China’s statement about the World of Warcraft game progress archive feature to be launched tomorrow (January 18, 2023), we are obliged to remind all players that the feature is unilaterally proposed and developed online by Blizzard, and has not been tested and used by NetEase, so there may be unknown security risks. If this feature causes loss of virtual property or inability to play, Blizzard shall assume full responsibility.
Description as above, commitment as follows.
When the farewell is destined to become the final chapter of the story, NetEase also still hope to do their best to accompany the players through the last time, to serve the players to the last moment. From now on, no matter where you are, no matter where you want to go, may the wind guide your path, and may the stars light your way forward.
Of course, the most important thing is to wish everyone a happy New Year.
