NetEase torches Blizzard in fiery post as Warcraft spat escalates

A file photo of visitors trying out the latest ‘World Of Warcraft’ video game at the Gamescom fair for computer games in Cologne, Germany, on Aug 21, 2018. China games company NetEase Inc has rejected a proposal from World of Warcraft creator Activision Blizzard to temporarily extend its partnership while the US company seeks a new partner, calling the proposed terms ‘unequal and unfair’ in an escalating public spat. — AP

NetEase Inc struck back in an escalating public dispute with US gaming giant Blizzard, accusing its longtime partner of being "rude and inappropriate” when negotiating to keep World of Warcraft on PCs in China.

The Chinese company fired the latest salvo in a dispute between the two studios that’s set the stage for the withdrawal of franchises like Diablo, Warcraft and Overwatch from the world’s largest gaming arena. NetEase was responding to a post Tuesday in which the Activision Blizzard Inc unit said NetEase had rejected its offer to extend their licensing agreement another six months while they work out new terms.