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The Chinese company NetEase said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal to distribute titles from Microsoft’s Blizzard Entertainment, restoring access to popular video games like World of Warcraft for Chinese gamers. More than a year ago, NetEase and Blizzard called an end to their long-running partnership when renewal talks turned testy, with both sides accusing each other of bad-faith negotiations. An uproar ensued among Chinese gamers, upset about losing access to a slew of popular titles from Blizzard’s parent company, the U.S. game developer Activision Blizzard. NetEase said on Wednesday that it had reached the new deal with Microsoft, which acquired Activision Blizzard in a $69 billion deal in October. The two companies said they had also agreed to distribute NetEase titles on Microsoft’s Xbox game device.

Persons: NetEase, we’ve, ” William Ding Organizations: Microsoft’s Blizzard Entertainment, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Locations: U.S

☆ Blizzard, NetEase deal: ‘World of Warcraft’ and other hit games return to China as dispute ends
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Diksha Madhok | Wayne Chang | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —China’s gaming giant NetEase will bring back the iconic “World of Warcraft” and other popular video games by Microsoft’s Blizzard Entertainment to the country, the companies said in a joint statement Wednesday. California-based Blizzard and Hangzhou-based NetEase had ceased their 15-year relationship in 2023 after an acrimonious fallout, leaving millions of fans in China heartbroken. “After a year of negotiations, Blizzard and NetEase are pleased to align on a path forward to once again serve players in mainland China,” the companies said in a post on NetEase Games’ official Weibo account. The new deal will see the return of “World of Warcraft” and “Hearthstone” games to China, as well as other titles in the Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo and StarCraft universes, according to the statement. Foreign publishers must work with local partners to offer video games in China.

Persons: NetEase, “, ”, we’ve, William Ding, ’, Phil Spencer Organizations: CNN, Microsoft’s Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard, Games, Weibo, Microsoft Gaming, Xbox, Microsoft, Activision, Big Locations: China, California, Hangzhou, Beijing, Big Tech

☆ Microsoft and NetEase to re-launch Warcraft game in China, ending feud
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese video games giant NetEase said it is working with Microsoft to bring popular games including "World of Warcraft" back to the country after a public fallout that ended a decade-long partnership in 2023. NetEase was the publisher of Blizzard's games in China from 2008 to 2023. "We at Blizzard are thrilled to reestablish our partnership with NetEase and to work together, with deep appreciation for the collaboration between our teams, to deliver legendary gaming experiences to players in China," said Johanna Faries, president of Blizzard Entertainment. Additionally, Microsoft and NetEase said they have also entered into an agreement to explore bringing new NetEase titles to Microsoft's Xbox gaming consoles and its other gaming platforms. A number of popular online games developed by Blizzard were taken offline in China last year after the company terminated its lucrative, 14-year-long partnership with NetEase, citing disagreement over intellectual property control.

Persons: NetEase, Johanna Faries Organizations: Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision, Blizzard, NetEase Locations: U.S, China

☆ Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to step down at the end of the year
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-20 | by ( Ashley Capoot | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will step down from his role as head of the video game company on Dec. 29, according to an internal memo from Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer on Wednesday. The leadership change was expected after Microsoft closed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October. He first joined the company as Director and CEO of Activision Inc., in February 1991 before serving as CEO of Activision Blizzard beginning in July 2008. In a memo to employees Wednesday, Kotick expressed "gratitude and appreciation" for his time at Activision Blizzard. Thomas Tippl, the vice chairman of Activision Blizzard; Rob Kostich, president of Activision Publishing; Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment; and others will report to Matt Booty, the president of Microsoft's Game Content and Studios.

Persons: Bobby Kotick, Phil Spencer, Kotick, Bobby —, Spencer, Tony Hawk, Thomas Tippl, Rob Kostich, Mike Ybarra, Matt Booty, Brian Bulatao, Dave McCarthy, — CNBC's Jordan Novet Organizations: Activision, Microsoft Gaming, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Activision Inc, CNBC, Activision Blizzard's, Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard, Gaming, CNBC PRO Locations: U.S, Europe

☆ Diablo IV crosses $666 million in sales in five days, a record for Activision Blizzard
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Activision Blizzard's new Diablo video game broke $666 million in global sales in the span of five days, the company said Wednesday. Diablo IV, which launched June 6, has become Activision subsidiary Blizzard Entertainment's fastest-selling game ever, the company added. Microsoft dominates the space, and with a possible Activision acquisition, it would be able to make popular franchises beyond Diablo exclusive to Microsoft's cloud platform, the CMA said. Diablo IV isn't available on Game Pass, an Activision executive said in March. The sales record, while record breaking for Blizzard, is not an industry record.

Persons: Diablo Organizations: Activision, Blizzard, Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, FTC, Authority, CMA, Marquee, Electronic Arts, FIFA, Madden Locations: California

☆ Diablo IV Wants Gamers to Slay Monsters in Hell Forever
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Brian X. Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With hits like World of Warcraft and Diablo, Blizzard Entertainment is considered a progenitor of the “forever game,” addictive experiences that players cannot put down because they seemingly never run out of quests to complete or gear to collect. As players fought through dungeons, slain monsters dropped loot, such as weapons and jewelry, that would empower their characters. Sometimes they were randomly rewarded with rare and exceedingly potent loot, much like pulling a slot machine and hitting the jackpot. The endless dopamine-inducing hunt was a winning formula that persuaded Diablo players over the past 26 years to invest hundreds, sometimes thousands, of hours into building the perfect character. But as the studio, now part of Activision Blizzard, prepares to release Diablo IV for computers and Xbox and PlayStation consoles on Tuesday, it is modifying its casino-like tactics to build a forever game for modern times.

Persons: deviousness Organizations: Blizzard Entertainment, Diablo, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation

☆ Some Diablo 4 players are reporting invalid license error messages after the video game's early access launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Early access for Diablo 4 faced issues, including licensing errors for some PlayStation users. Diablo 4 marks the latest installment of Blizzard "Diablo" series, which began in 1996, and arrives more than a decade after "Diablo III" was released in May 2012. Here's what you need to know about Thursday's early access launch and the coming official release of "Diablo IV." It's unclear how many early access players have been impacted by the error. According to Blizzard, Diablo 4 is set decades after the events of "Diablo III: Reaper of Souls."

Persons: Blizzard, Rod Fergusson, Adam Fletcher, Inarius, Liam Deane, Omdia Organizations: Diablo, PlayStation, Morning, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Windows, Blizzard, Xbox, Associated Press, Druids, Sorceresses, Microsoft, European Union, Sony Locations: U.S

☆ Some Diablo 4 players reported invalid license error messages after the video game's early access launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Early access for Diablo 4 faced issues, including licensing errors for some PlayStation users. Diablo 4 marks the latest installment of Blizzard "Diablo" series, which began in 1996, and arrives more than a decade after Diablo 3 was released in May 2012. Here's what you need to know about Thursday's early access launch and the coming official release of Diablo 4. It's unclear how many early access players have been impacted by the error. According to Blizzard, Diablo 4 is set decades after the events of "Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls."

Persons: Blizzard, Rod Fergusson, Adam Fletcher, Inarius, Liam Deane, Omdia Organizations: Diablo, PlayStation, Morning, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Windows, Blizzard, Xbox, Druids, Sorceresses, Microsoft, European Union, Sony, Associated Press Locations: U.S

The CWA in a statement said Activision's conduct showed a clear pattern of disregard for workers' legal rights. "In spite of Activision Blizzard's anti-union efforts, workers continue to organize, speak out about their working conditions and win union campaigns," the union said. Activision has said its social media policy is lawful and does not bar employees from exercising their rights under U.S. labor law. Small groups of workers at Activision subsidiaries in New York and Wisconsin have voted to join the CWA in recent months. Boston-based employees of Activision unit Proletariat in January withdrew a petition to have an election.

The Communication Workers of America union (CWA) has accused the "Call of Duty" maker of a series of illegal labor practices at the union has sought to organize video game testers and other employees at the company and its subsidiaries. The CWA in a statement said Activision's conduct showed a clear pattern of disregard for workers' legal rights. "In spite of Activision Blizzard's anti-union efforts, workers continue to organize, speak out about their working conditions and win union campaigns," the union said. Activision is already facing a separate NLRB complaint issued last year claiming the company used a policy limiting what workers can post on social media to bar them from discussing working conditions. Activision has said its social media policy is lawful and does not bar employees from exercising their rights under U.S. labor law.

☆ Managers at my company have to give at least one bad review on their teams. How can I make sure I don't get targeted?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Rebecca Knight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Stack ranking is when managers score employees' performances relative to that of their coworkers. It's not easy to fight it if your company uses stack rankings, but you can take a few actions. Forced, or stack, ranking — a system in which managers score their employees' individual performances relative to that of their coworkers — needs to die but, alas, refuses to do so. Stack ranking is still used today, including at companies like Amazon, though it's largely been found to be a terrible management practice. Why, then, do some companies persist in stack ranking?

☆ Blizzard China: Millions of players lose access to 'World of Warcraft' and other games as it goes dark
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Millions of players in China have lost access to the iconic “World of Warcraft” franchise and other popular video games, as Blizzard Entertainment’s servers in the country went offline after two decades. That was underscored in recent days, as Chinese fans expressed their disbelief over the loss of their longtime pastime in social media posts. Those deals had covered the publication of several popular Blizzard titles in mainland China, including “World of Warcraft,” “Hearthstone,” and “Diablo III,” since 2008. In a LinkedIn post Monday, Simon Zhu, president of global investments and partnerships of NetEase Games, detailed how he grew up with Blizzard games in China, including older “Warcraft” and “Diablo” titles. “Only [a] few hours before Blizzard Games servers shut down in China, and that is a very very big deal for players in China,” he wrote.

☆ The wildly popular MMORPG 'World of Warcraft' just lost a huge chunk of its players overnight
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-24 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Millions of Chinese gamers will no longer be able to play the wildly popular MMORPG "World Of Warcraft." Blizzard Entertainment — the company behind "World of Warcraft" and other popular online role-playing games — suspended its servers in China at midnight after a licensing agreement with NetEase Games, China's "World of Warcraft" distribution partner, expired. Released in 2004, "World of Warcraft" is a fantasy game in which players create an avatar that can fight monsters, complete quests, and engage with other players in the medieval Azeroth universe. Another "World of Warcraft" player said on Weibo that the game was 'my first love,' per CNN. The end of "World of Warcraft" in China — which arrived in the country in 2008 — is a result of a tense dispute between Blizzard and NetEase that occurred last November.

☆ NetEase Rejects Activision Offer to Extend China Licensing Partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Raffaele Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE—Chinese videogame publisher NetEase Inc. has refused Activision Blizzard Inc.’s offer to extend a licensing partnership, the two companies said, deepening a rift between the firms over operations in the world’s biggest mobile game market. Blizzard Entertainment Inc., an Activision Blizzard subsidiary, said Tuesday that it proposed to NetEase a six-month extension to the partnership that is set to expire next week. The licensing partnership has brought Blizzard’s globally popular videogames such as “World of Warcraft,” “Diablo III” and “Overwatch” to the Chinese market through NetEase.

☆ Activision Says NetEase Rejected Offer to Extend China Licensing Partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Raffaele Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

NetEase recently launched a new version for its multiplayer role-playing game ‘Justice,’ with features that NetEase said are similar to Blizzard’s ‘World of Warcraft.’SINGAPORE— Activision Blizzard Inc. said NetEase Inc., its longtime partner in China, has refused its offer to extend a licensing partnership and that it is in talks with several videogame firms to find a new partner in the country. Blizzard Entertainment Inc., an Activision subsidiary, said Tuesday that it proposed to NetEase a six-month extension to the partnership that is set to expire next week. The licensing partnership has brought Blizzard’s globally popular videogames such as “World of Warcraft,” “Diablo III” and “Overwatch” to the Chinese market through NetEase.

☆ Blizzard tells China’s ‘World of Warcraft’ fans to back up data as it seeks new partner
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Hong Kong CNN —“World of Warcraft” fans in China will have to back up their playing history as the distributor of the hit game winds down its agreement with Blizzard Entertainment. Blizzard, a unit of Activision Blizzard (ATVI), and its longtime Chinese partner, gaming giant NetEase (NTES), said last month they would not renew licensing agreements that are set to expire in January. Those deals had covered the publication of several popular Blizzard titles in mainland China, including “World of Warcraft,” “Hearthstone,” and “Diablo III,” since 2008. NetEase told fans last month that their “World of Warcraft” data would be “sealed” after servers for the game are shut down in January. Collaboration on “Diablo Immortal” is under a separate agreement that will continue, NetEase said in a November statement.

☆ Blizzard seeks new partners to continue offering World of Warcraft in China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Blizzard Entertainment is in talks with potential partners about continuing to offer its popular World of Warcraft title in China, as its deal with Chinese gaming giant NetEase is set to wind down. Blizzard said last month that it would discontinue services for World of Warcraft and other games in China from January 2023, after failing to renew its contract with NetEase. The deal, first signed in August 2008, allowed Blizzard to offer World of Warcraft in the country, where it has since become wildly popular. World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online game that sees players role play as their own characters, embark on various quests and battle monsters. High did not say whether Blizzard plans to seek alternative distribution partners for its other games in China, which include Hearthstone, Starcraft and Diablo III.

☆ Activision Blizzard to End Most Game Services in China, NetEase Partnership
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Raffaele Huang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE— Activision Blizzard Inc. is halting most online game services in China in January, including “World of Warcraft,” “StarCraft” and “Diablo III,” as it and China’s NetEase Inc. end a 14-year licensing partnership. Blizzard Entertainment Inc., an Activision Blizzard subsidiary, and NetEase failed to reach a deal to renew their licensing agreements, the two companies said Thursday China time. One obstacle to renewing the deal was a disagreement between the two parties over how data of Chinese players are controlled, people familiar with the negotiations said. Data collected by powerful internet companies and how those are handled has become a point of friction between the U.S. and China in recent years.

Nov 17 (Reuters) - Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) said on Thursday it would suspend most Blizzard game services in mainland China once its current licensing agreements with NetEase (9999.HK) end in January. California-based Blizzard said new sales would be suspended in the coming days and players would receive further details. The absence of Blizzard games could cause a 6-8% drop in NetEase's revenue next year, analysts from Daiwa Capital Markets wrote in a research report on Nov. 9. The estimate is founded on the basis that licensed games account for around 10% of NetEase's total revenue and Blizzard accounts for 60-80% of licensed games. "We are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future," Blizzard President Mike Ybarra said in the statement.

☆ Blizzard will pull ‘World of Warcraft’ from China as NetEase deal ends
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Blizzard Entertainment said Thursday it will no longer offer games such as ‘World of Warcraft’ and ‘Hearthstone’ in China from next year once its deal with NetEase (NTES) ends, prompting shares in the Chinese internet giant to tumble. The games to be suspended include “World of Warcraft”, “Hearthstone”, “Warcraft III: Reforged”, “Overwatch”, the “StarCraft” series, “Diablo III”, and “Heroes of the Storm.”According to NetEase, the recently published “Diablo Immortal,” co-developed by NetEase and Blizzard, is covered by a separate long-term agreement, allowing its service to continue in China. The absence of Blizzard games could lower NetEase’s revenue by 6-8% next year, Daiwa Capital Markets wrote in a research report on Nov. 9. Blizzard Entertainment said upcoming releases for “World of Warcraft: Dragonflight,” “Hearthstone: March of the Lich King,” and season 2 of “Overwatch 2” will proceed later this year. “We are looking for alternatives to bring our games back to players in the future,” Blizzard President Mike Ybarra said in the statement.

☆ World of Warcraft to go offline in China as Activision Blizzard and NetEase end 14-year deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The booth of Blizzard Entertainment at the Chinajoy Expo in Shanghai, China, on Aug. 2, 2019. Activision Blizzard and Chinese gaming firm NetEase are ending their 14-year licensing agreement, a move that will result in hit game franchises like World of Warcraft and Overwatch shutting down in China. The deal, which was first struck back in August 2008, will now expire in January 2023 after the two firms were unable to agree on renewal terms. World of Warcraft, a massively multiplayer online game, is hugely popular in China. In a statement, NetEase CEO William Ding said Blizzard and NetEase had "material differences on key terms" in deal negotiations.

☆ Futures slip as investors assess mixed economic data
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures off: Dow 0.12%, S&P 0.12%, Nasdaq 0.07%Nov 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Thursday following mixed economic data this week, while chip designer Nvidia rose after reporting better-than-expected quarterly revenue. Peers Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD.O) and Intel Corp (INTC.O) added 1.2% and 0.4%, respectively. "Wall Street was rattled by a conflicting retail picture," said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. This has added to expectations that higher rates will have to linger for a lot longer to make a difference." ET, Dow e-minis were down 41 points, or 0.12%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 4.75 points, or 0.12%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 8.75 points, or 0.07%.

☆ From Apple AirPods and Squishmallows to 'Encanto' toys, here are some of the most anticipated gifts this holiday season, according to Adobe
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Sarah Belle Lin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

"The shape of the holiday season will look different this year, with early discounting in October," Patrick Brown, Adobe vice president of growth marketing and insights, said in a statement. Here are the toys, gaming devices, games, and other gifts that Adobe predicts will be the most popular items this holiday season. SquishmallowsThe stuffed animals come in all sizes, shapes, and colors and are expected to once again be popular this holiday season. Xbox Series XThe Xbox Series X is the fastest, most powerful Xbox yet, per Microsoft. Apple Watch Series 8/UltraThe new Apple Watch Series 8 comes in eight different colors, with either a 41-millimeter or 45-millimeter case.

☆ Block CFO Amrita Ahuja breaks down the company's long-term growth strategy and how it positions itself for success
▼ + stars: | 2021-12-14 | by ( Lily Katzman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Its CFO, Amrita Ahuja, told Insider about how cryptocurrency is influencing its financial growth. Block is a global technology company focused on financial services that includes the digital payments company called Square. This is positive news for Block Chief Financial Officer Amrita Ahuja. Ahuja said this financial statement put Block in a position for long-term success. This is in addition to the development of Block hardware wallet, a product that Block says will normalize bitcoin storage.

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