Blizzard Reconsidering Relationship with The9 Interactive?

[fitbabits]

GamesIndustry.biz (http://www.gamesindustry.biz) is reporting that Blizzard may be having second thoughts about their partnership with with its Chinese partner The9 Interactive.

You can read the full story here (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=16150).

World of Warcraft publisher Blizzard Entertainment may be reconsidering its relationship with its Chinese partner The9 Interactive, according to a statement made by the company late last week.

In a press release issued on Thursday, Blizzard said it is "actively exploring and discussing cooperation opportunities and further expansion of its business with local potential partners for mainland China".

That's despite an existing agreement with The9, which currently handles World of Warcraft's distribution and infrastructure in the region.

The company said it had "invited" The9 to "negotiate" the forthcoming release of World of Warcraft expansion The Burning Crusade, which is due out in China in 2007.
Huh!

[drakkarim]

idiots, as with everything else in any communist country, the "government" wants bigger kickbacks, i'm guessing The9 just wanted more then usual.

[emyln]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but... I hope its not a world wide release. I wanna play "The Burning Crusade" THIS year and ideaily in July although its probably more likely to be released around Nov I think.

[Royal Fool]

I'm banking on a close-to-holiday release for the expansion, everything points to that.

[silv]

WoW was launched in China significantly later than the US release. I imagine NA will see the expansion significantly ahead of China as well.

[Buddha Lotus]

This has to do with the Pandarens (my guess at the new allance race)

[Verocity]

My guess is filtered content. By the time the Chinese Government is done over there, the Chinese people will think they live on a completely different planet...

[XenonCJ]

For me, it's confirmed to be the Dranei (seen pics of the game box - unless faked?)... Unless Blizz says different.

[Heretic Machine]

This has to do with the Pandarens (my guess at the new allance race)

Doubt it, they wouldn't screw up their own cash just to please their fans. I can't blame them for that, but I can refuse to buy any expansion that doesn't add either Pandarens or Goblins as a playable race.

For me, it's confirmed to be the Dranei (seen pics of the game box - unless faked?)... Unless Blizz says different.

Faked. Also, they've renamed the Dranei, it's on their official website, though they are listed as a monster rather than a playable race. Could be another faction of "evil" Dranei.