Can you still play WoW in China?
As a long-time WoW player and gaming industry analyst, I was shocked to learn that as of January 23rd, 2023, World of Warcraft servers in China were shut down, making the game inaccessible for tens of millions of dedicated players there.
After 16 historic years serving the massive Chinese gaming market, the licensing agreement between Blizzard and publisher NetEase expired without a renewal, forcing WoW offline.
Just How Many Chinese Gamers Have Lost Access?
To grasp the mammoth scale of this shutdown, consider these WoW China stats:
- Over 48 million Chinese WoW accounts registered since launch in 2008
- Among the top 10 games in China by revenue multiple times
- Chinese players have accounted for nearly half of WoW‘s peak player base
Losing this lucrative market of tens of millions of passionate players is a huge blow both for Blizzard‘s business and the vibrant WoW community cultivated here over more than a decade.
"We will cherish all the companionship and support you have given us" – Final in-game message to Chinese WoW players
Why Couldn‘t Blizzard and NetEase Reach a Renewal Deal?
While full details haven‘t emerged, likely sticking points in negotiations included:
- Revenue share split between the companies
- Balancing content restrictions demanded by Chinese regulators vs. Blizzard‘s creative freedom
- Other strategic differences emerging over 14 years working together
With billions in annual revenue from Chinese players on the line, the failure to compromise on a new multi-year WoW licensing deal is a surprising outcome.
Mike Morhaime, former Blizzard CEO:
We have had an incredible 14-year run in China and countless great memories made with our players, employees, and partners.
Are Chinese Gamers Finding Workarounds?
Dedicated players loathe to leave Warcraft aren‘t abandoning quietly. Many are accessing WoW using VPN connections to foreign servers, despite 150+ ping making responsive combat difficult.
| VPN Workaround Challenges |
|---|
| – High ping diminishes gameplay quality |
| – Risk of bans for Terms of Service violations |
| – No access to Chinese WoW payment systems |
Ping scores over 200ms significantly degrade gameplay enjoyment, so these technical hurdles discourage all but the most passionate fans. However, WoW‘s high monthly subscription fee also limits this approach‘s viability.
Chinese Player Comment:
I‘ve played on US servers before using a VPN…combat feels laggy and delayed even though I‘m paying for quality service.
What‘s Next for WoW and Gaming in China?
Losing Chinese access deals a heavy blow to Activision Blizzard‘s bottom line and player network effects crucial to MMORPGs like WoW. This removal also closely follows China banning new video game approvals.
Regulators may loosen restrictions eventually, but between antimonopoly reforms and growing US-China tensions, foreign gaming firms can‘t take China‘s massive market for granted anymore. Companies wishing to tap into this billion-player base require careful diplomacy and alignment with nationalist Chinese interests.
If WoW manages to return through a new publishing deal, don‘t expect the game to retain its original form. Skeletons, blood, cultist symbols, and other imagery Chinese censors deem offensive will likely undergoediting. We may see a return, but not as we remember.
For now, Azeroth lies quiet in the Middle Kingdom…but this passionate gaming community isn‘t one to abandon its second home quietly into the long night. Guilds bonded through shared triumph and loss still find ways to reunite however they can. The saga continues, with this dramatic twist now written into WoW‘s storied history in China.
