Updated:Blizzard Entertainment subsequently responded that it has not received any related lawsuit, but believes that it has not violated any licensing agreement.
Blizzard EntertainmentFailed to reach a contract renewal consensus with NetEase Games last year, resulting in the suspension of operations of games such as "World of Warcraft" in China from January this year. The dispute between the two parties was further complicated by the fact that Shanghai Wangzhiyi Network Technology Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of NetEase Games that was originally responsible for the operation of Blizzard Entertainment-related games, recentlyFile another lawsuit, accusing Blizzard Entertainment of refusing to fulfill its obligation to refund Chinese players and accumulating arrears of up to RMB 3 million (approximately NT$13.5 billion).
Shanghai Wangzhiyi Network Technology Development Co., Ltd. stated in the lawsuit that the RMB 3 million in debt includes refunds for games such as "World of Warcraft" that have been provided to players and have ceased operating services in the Chinese market, as well as advance payments for unsold inventory and advance deposits for several undeveloped works.
NetEase Games previously questioned the legal enforceability of the agreement, citing unfair terms that favored Blizzard Entertainment. Blizzard Entertainment's previous proposal to extend its existing partnership with NetEase Games for six months, while still seeking new partners in China, without compromising player rights, was met with harsh criticism from NetEase Games.
Blizzard Entertainment has not yet responded to this, nor has it stated whether it has found a suitable new partner to take over the game operations in the Chinese market.
