Blizzard’s video games had been printed in China by NetEase for 14 years, till that licensing settlement got here to an finish in January. It was not a harmonious break-up. Either side blamed the opposite (opens in new tab) for each the collapse of their settlement and the lack to work out a method to switch participant information to any new associate’s servers (Blizzard nonetheless lacks a brand new Chinese language writer). The top got here with the in-your-face symbolism of NetEase workers smashing up an enormous Gorehowl statue (opens in new tab) (a legendary World of Warcraft axe) in entrance of their places of work, earlier than ingesting “Blizzard inexperienced tea”, the latter basically a Chinese language insult implying Blizzard is grasping and impure.
So that every one went effectively, and immediately brings the information that NetEase is submitting a lawsuit in opposition to Blizzard that is on the lookout for 300 million Chinese language Yuan ($43.5 million / £35 million) made up of assorted claims (the go well with was first reported by Chinese language media Sina Expertise (opens in new tab), by way of WoWhead (opens in new tab)). The primary components are:
- Blizzard promised refunds for gamers who needed them when the Chinese language servers went offline on January 23, and NetEase says it has been left to honor this dedication to 1.12 million gamers and has performed so.
- Violation of licensing agreements, and redress for “unequal provisions” in similar.
- Compensation for unsold merchandise stock.
- “As well as, this lawsuit entails many ‘overlord clauses’ signed between Blizzard and Netease,” reads the The Sina Finance report (opens in new tab), “together with requiring Netease to pay an enormous deposit prematurely for a number of video games, however Blizzard didn’t refund the related video games after they weren’t developed.”
That final level is essentially the most tantalising, with NetEase claiming it paid Blizzard deposits for a number of video games that had been ultimately not developed. The wording, nevertheless, might imply loads of issues aside from unannounced Blizzard video games, together with present merchandise being tweaked for the Chinese language market. It might additionally simply be NetEase threatening to spill a few of Blizzard’s secrets and techniques. Little question, nevertheless, extra will come out concerning the specifics.
A few of NetEase’s grievances within the go well with appear extra simple, such because the declare Blizzard “outright refused” to tackle the duty of refunding Chinese language gamers, and likewise didn’t pay a pre-agreed fee payment relating to those refunds. However there are additionally a number of the standard complaints about Blizzard and the unequal nature of the settlement: Each Blizzard and NetEase did very effectively out of this through the years, so to show round on the finish and wail concerning the oppressive phrases feels slightly bitter.
I’ve contacted Blizzard for touch upon the lawsuit and its claims, and can replace with any response.