FTS: The NetEase and Blizzard Split will hurt China's gamers

So Blizzard and NetEase weren't able to meet an agreement which ultimately resulted in the companies going their separate ways. The gamers in China will ultimately feel this one. Fingers are kinda pointing in Activision Blizzard's direction on this one.

At times these sorts of things just occur in negotiations, but... a member of the NetEase team wanted us to share with you the reason why the respective organizations could not reach a renewed contractual agreement. Before I deliver this info from the source, Christina Z. (of NetEase) said that they were doing their best to negotiate with Activision Blizzard... in hopes to keep providing great titles to gamers in China, but with today's news... we see that it didn't work out.

I won't say that WoW and StarCraft have replacements that are better or worst, but... there are options out there that we hope gamers are able to enjoy just as much or more if there isn't a change of heart.

I just remember how huge the StarCraft tournaments were alone, so I can only imagine how this will affect the average gamer, but... also those who earn a living through these IPs.

Outside of simply enjoying the games, and earning a living, don't forget about the community around these games. People have gained friends, and fans and some even created families through relationships that happened as a result of the couple's love for select games like StarCraft, etc.

NetEase Announces Non-Renewal of Licenses with Blizzard

 

HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 16, 2022 -- NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX: 9999, "NetEase" or the "Company"), one of China's leading internet and online game services providers, today announced that it anticipates that its licenses covering the publication of several titles of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in China will expire in accordance with their terms on January 23, 2023 and will not be renewed.  The affected games are World of Warcraft^®, the StarCraft^® series, Hearthstone^®, Heroes of the Storm^®, Overwatch^® and Diablo III^®.

"We have put in a great deal of effort and tried with our utmost sincerity to negotiate with Activision Blizzard so that we could continue our collaboration and serve the many dedicated players in China. However, there were material differences on key terms and we could not reach an agreement. We hold high regard in our product and operational standards and abide by our commitments to Chinese players.

We are honored to have had the privilege of serving our gamers over the past 14 years and have shared many precious moments with them during that time. We will continue our promise to serve our players well until the last minute. We will make sure our players' data and assets are well protected in all of our games," said William Ding, CEO of NetEase.

The net revenues and net income contribution from these licensed Blizzard games represented low single digits as a percentage of NetEase's total net revenues and net income in 2021 and in the first nine months of 2022. The expiration of such licenses will have no material impact on NetEase's financial results. The co-development and publishing of Diablo^® Immortal™ is covered by a separate long-term agreement and will continue.

 

About NetEase, Inc.

As a leading internet technology company based in China, NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX:9999, "NetEase") provides premium online services centered around content creation. With extensive offerings across its expanding gaming ecosystem, the Company develops and operates some of China's most popular and longest-running mobile and PC games. Powered by industry-leading in-house R&D capabilities in China and globally, NetEase creates superior gaming experiences, inspires players, and passionately delivers value for its thriving community worldwide. By infusing play with culture and education with technology, NetEase transforms gaming into a meaningful vehicle to build a more entertaining and enlightened world.

Beyond games, NetEase service offerings include its majority-controlled subsidiaries Youdao (NYSE: DAO), China's leading technology-focused intelligent learning company, and Cloud Music (HKEX: 9899), China's leading online music content community, as well as Yanxuan, NetEase's private label consumer lifestyle brand.

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GameChangers: Dreams of Blizzcon... Reviewed!

Gamechangers: Dreams of Blizzcon... is a documentary following Korean StarCraft players in their pursuit of Blizzcon victory. Specifically MC and MMA, two well known eSports champions. In this film, you get to see what it takes to actually get these guys on stage in various eSports competitions and what happens after. Check out the trailer below.

I knew South Korea had a crazy eSports audience... but it's cool to learn how it was established and basically paved the way for other countries (via humble begins that I can relate to totally). They took a love for gaming, saw the potential in StarCraft as the type of game worthy of being a title for Major League level eSports... and made it happen. To know that it rivals professional sports and even surpass the viewership of sports leagues like the NHL... is very cool. As a gamer... that puts a smile on my face because not everyone is going to be the next top athlete in physical sports, but if you put in the work when it comes to an eSports game you like... you can reach heights too (and actually get paid). I'd even suggest pushing the right game if you believe it's worthy of being an eSports title... and host your own tournaments, especially if you're passionate about it.

I think they structured the documentary well and helped tell the story of life as an eSports competitor without losing steam. They explained things so that you aren't just watching it as a potential noob left out in the cold as far as comprehension is concerned. I'm glad it wasn't just showing StarCraft gameplay either, you can just watch "Let's Play" videos on that note. That's no offense to the game, I say that to say the story had the right elements for a strong film and it didn't need an unnecessary amount of gameplay video to let viewers know that it was StarCraft (2). They stayed on subject and focused on the gamers for the most part, and I really appreciate them showing little things like someone not being in the mood to play, feeling lonely and depressed, etc. That's real, we've even posted about getting burned out... and suggested variety to our audience because it can hit you out of nowhere, so that's something else I appreciate about the documentary.

Most of the shots in this film weren't anything dramatic from what I saw... but they didn't have to be for a documentary, they changed it up at some points when it was... game time. 

The visuals delivered along with the audio that built up tension at the right moments and all that good stuff that could have the right viewers on the edge of their seat. I know I was there at certain points. 

Overall, GameChangers: Dreams of Blizzcon was informative, and although I probably wouldn't watch it back to back... I enjoyed it and it held my attention (which isn't easy for movies or shows).

Informative: 5

Visuals: 4

Audio: 5

Replay Value: 2

4 out of 5 Cool Points

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