🎮 NetEase Games

Quick Summary

NetEase is China’s second-largest game company (after Tencent) and one of the world’s top 10 publishers by revenue. It serves as the former official distributor of Blizzard titles in China and develops its own major PC and mobile titles.

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Key Titles & Partnerships

AssetNotes
Fantasy Westward Journey (梦幻西游)NetEase’s flagship IP; 20+ years of operation
Blizzard distribution (2008–2022)Operated WoW, Overwatch, Hearthstone in China; partnership ended in 2022
Marvel SnapPublished globally by Second Dinner; NetEase investing partner
Naraka: BladepointSuccessful PC battle royale with melee-focused combat
Harry Potter: Magic AwakenedHigh-profile mobile RPG card game

The Blizzard China Crisis (2022)

In 2022, NetEase’s 14-year partnership with Blizzard ended in a high-profile public dispute over contract terms. Chinese players temporarily lost access to World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Overwatch — one of the most significant distribution disruptions in gaming history.

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