WoW 'rejected' in China, government at odds with itself over decision

[Kubiatsu]

Just when NetEase was finally getting back to business in China (they were even planning for a Wrath release next month), they hit a huge snag: China's General Administration of Press and Publicationshalted their review of the game (GAPP) office has apparently and told the company to stop collecting subscriptions and signing up new subscribers. They've also passed on the company's application to go into business, and have called the new subscription signups "illegal behavior," threatening even suspension of the company's Internet service.



We're not sure what happens from here -- an official from the country's Ministry of Culture has also said that the suspension of the review is "not appropriate," especially since the content under review had already been approved while the game was being run by The9, which may mean that it will be overturned just as quickly as it went down (and the game will be back in business before long). On the other hand, Netease may have jumped the gun -- they've been collecting subscriptions for a while, which they apparently weren't supposed to do without official GAPP approval (and we've heard before that GAPP might just want to delay the release of foreign games as long as possible). We'll keep an eye on the issue -- most analysts are saying that despite the threats, this is just another roadbump for NetEase, and they should still be back to collecting payments for the game soon.

Update: Stranger and stranger -- NetEase has released a statementsaying they've gotten no official word from GAPP outside of the official press release. When you consider that along with the Ministry of Culture's comments, it seems that the government isn't quite sure whether they're approving the content or not.

[Brutakus]

China WoW site says:

Since April 26, 2005 "World of Warcraft" official launch open beta testing in China, four years have passed since unknowingly. In more than 1500 days and nights, the ninth city "World of Warcraft" operations team and more than 5 million enthusiastic players to create and witness this epic game in China, put down roots and grow healthily and achieved amazing success and glory.

We, together with all the players to share the "World of Warcraft" in each precious memories: the first time into the world of Azeroth for its spectacular beauty and moved alongside with friends, came together as risk-taking when you enjoy endless fun in the King first saw the flames in the appearance of magma from the sky when you feel very shocked, in Ahn'Qiraj opened the door to a burst of excited, too excited after the victory over Illidan sleep at night ... ...

We are also with everyone else, in this soon to be waving goodbye to the days feel reluctantly, and sad. Although the "World of Warcraft" is just a game, but its players for a few years to always pay attention to and concerned about the other world; For us, the "World of Warcraft," the operation also no longer a job it is a worthwhile exchange of youth to dream.

Operation "World of Warcraft" in the past four years, we have many proud memories, there are many unsatisfactory regret, for which we express our sincere apologies. In this, the ninth city sincere gratitude to all in the past four years of "World of Warcraft," the love and support, but also to sincerely thank everyone for the ninth city "World of Warcraft" operations team encouragement, feedback and encouragement.

Good-bye, dear players! Good-bye, Azeroth's warriors!

[whitekidney]

oh shit, there goes 9 million wow players.

[Exanthos]

LOL 9 million out of the 5 million are gone now Hahahha.

[TimmeH32]

Is this going to effect gold spammers at all, or do they have some bootleg version or w/e

[Turboz]

Is this going to effect gold spammers at all, or do they have some bootleg version or w/e

I doubt it, I still see them from time to time advertising on the server I'm on, so they are doing something to work around it.

[Remus]

Asia is roughly 5-6 million from blizzards 2007 or 2008 census. a great plenty play on the Taiwan servers and to answer the gold spam stuff. no, they are on US servers not Chinese servers. It doesn't even affect them in the least.

So stupid comments of o shi 9 million gone, are just that. . Stupid.

[TimmeH32]

Asia is roughly 5-6 million from blizzards 2007 or 2008 census. a great plenty play on the Taiwan servers and to answer the gold spam stuff. no, they are on US servers not Chinese servers. It doesn't even affect them in the least.

So stupid comments of o shi 9 million gone, are just that. . Stupid.

But. How though? If they are blocking wow servers; How are they using the US ones from China?

Can anyone explain. Kind of interested.

[TehGoggles]

Several ways my friend.

Think of it like a private server somewhat, you have your realm lists. China's version of the game connects to china servers. Where US's version of the game connects to the US servers.

All they're doing right now is stopping China's version of Retail WoW from being operated in China. They haven't stopped the America version. They probably will though.

I honestly feel bad for some of the guilds and such, I believe one of the top Raiding Guilds in the World, Stars, was in China. (They were the first ones to down Yogg +0 ))

[mag1212]

the chinese ppl can just play on the US and EU servers

[aamlord]

I thought Korean were the world's top raider not Chinese?

[Shmur]

I thought Korean were the world's top raider not Chinese?

Stars, the guild that had the world first Alone in the Darkness, is a chinese guild. They were playing on Taiwanese servers when they got the world first.

[kousoushin]

Well, cant stop guys for thinking that gold farmers are from China :3
but that suspension thingy is racist IMO