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by Robin Torres 
Feb 8th 2010 at 7:30PM
For those unfamiliar with this story, Netease was told to cease WoW operations last year by GAPP and the Chinese Ministry of Culture stepped in and contradicted the ruling. Netease has continued taking new accounts until now, while waiting for the decision of these governmental bodies. Assuming Netease can finally get approval to release The Burning Crusade, they will still need to apply for permission to release Wrath of the Lich King. At this rate, the rest of the world will get Cataclysm before mainland China sees Northrend.
The timing of this is unfortunate, considering that Lunar Festival begins next week. Lunar Festival is based on Chinese New Year.
We'll keep you posted as this seemingly never-ending drama continues.
[via Joystiq]
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Manic Soul Feb 8th 2010 7:38PM
"You racka disiprin!!" - Stan Marsh
uncaringbear Feb 9th 2010 7:58AM
The above comment was completely unexpected for this article.
Tyrrax Feb 8th 2010 7:39PM
I guess the bribe to the party official wasn't big enough.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Feb 8th 2010 7:45PM
+1
Alanid Feb 8th 2010 7:48PM
Damn, hasn't this gone on for long enough? I mean sure take your time to decide, it's not the most important thing after all but this has been going on for (too many) months!
shaunarcher Feb 8th 2010 9:25PM
I've got 3 full sets of S4 now lol on my druid...getting kinda boring but oh well. Do hope they get a move on =(
Lanebobane Feb 8th 2010 7:57PM
Mainland china already has BC. I saw people raiding sunwell in a Internet cafe when I was in Beijing in 2008.
miork Feb 9th 2010 12:22PM
They were playing on Taiwan servers.
Broken_toes Feb 8th 2010 7:59PM
This is insane... Its almost like china is ruled by some communist dictatorship that has a need to ninja anything that allows the free, unregulated flow of information with the outside world.
Its kinda annoying to think there may (conspiracy theory warning here) be some weird thing blizz does to stop mention of Tienanmen Square and/or talk of democracy while running a five man, but they seem to be unable to stop the "hey friend 1k guldz 3euro" spam.
Yeah in all seriousness, this is what this is about. Warcraft offers a obvious route for those that wish it to engage in unregulated conversation (man those GM's will have there hands full). Not knowing the ins-and-outs, I would imagine going by precedent, the Chinese authorities will want more control than being able to name ban "fookyerma" the cheeky gnome rogue.
When I say obvious, I'm talking about something with flashing lights and a massive sign sayin "look at me, free information-flow" as opposed to what the dedicated have to do for the same thing- you know because google, yahoo, etc, don't help.
curtisrutland Feb 9th 2010 12:59AM
"Yeah in all seriousness, this is what this is about. Warcraft offers a obvious route for those that wish it to engage in unregulated conversation (man those GM's will have there hands full)."
As opposed to face to face?
More than control, this is a matter of "so what do I get out of it." Someone didn't grease the right wheels, and they're paying the price.
But China is ruled by the Communist party, and their government does strictly censor internet material. Look at the recent situation with Google, for example. I doubt this is held up solely on those purposes though.
e-girl Feb 8th 2010 8:06PM
Sounds like the controversial censorship rules Australia is introducing, what is going on in the world?
Matthew Feb 9th 2010 2:58AM
Hey there - can you fill me/us in ? What's going on down under?
Heston Feb 8th 2010 8:07PM
Blizzard needs to help these comapnies SUPPORT THEIR PRODUCT.
PeeWee Feb 11th 2010 8:44AM
There is nothing they can do.
wowmartyjohnson Feb 8th 2010 8:22PM
Ah government.. I cannot get why people think this is unusual.
Kris Feb 8th 2010 8:24PM
"I'm Ronery, Ya Little Ronery"
Frank Feb 8th 2010 9:05PM
This isn't about free speech, it's protectionism. This is the way China insures it's native MMORPG's gets played and all of the money stays local instead of flowing to the US via Blizz. The US Government should be the ones bitching but like everything else they let us get screwed on issues of free trade. As for seeing WOW played on an internet cafe in China, they are probably playing on servers in S. Korea.
gatheringsin Feb 8th 2010 10:48PM
^This^
Today MMORPGs, tomorrow, everything else!
The WOW clones they are playing in China is amusing though, like Giant (Ju Ren in chinese): Chinese time traveler go back in time to the 1800s to massacre whities with modern technolgy (which we all know the Chinese "developed" themselves）to change the course of history, ensuring the dominance of the Chinese race.
Clbull Feb 8th 2010 9:11PM
To be honest, at this rate, China will have Wrath of the Lich King by the time we're halfway through Cataclysm.
I mean this is just to relaunch The Burning Crusade under NetEase's hosting. Think about how much will probably have to be edited in order to get Wrath of the Lich King approved and released there, let alone Cataclysm.
Quite a few Chinese players have moved to Taiwanese servers, and honestly, I cannot blame them. The censorship just seems ridiculous now, and considering the fact that we're pretty much done with Wrath now, its just a joke.
Agony Feb 8th 2010 9:45PM
Aaaand...cue the racist remarks.
/facepalm