Apr 14
What Does That Even Mean?
Could someone explain this to me? Blizzard is now saying they’re ‘exploring potential partners for mainland China‘ distribution of WoW.
 In fact, Blizzard’s statement also indicated that it has invited The9 to negotiate in a bid to distribute the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion set, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, and to discuss its release in mainland China, which is currently planned for next year. Since it seems as if it would not be possible for different companies to manage the original WoW and its expansion, a switch of distributor for both may possibly be on the cards, though Blizzard’s formal statement simply commented that further details on distribution will be “revealed at a later date”.
I don’t follow this stuff nearly close enough. What did The9 do?
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The situation, in rough form, as it’s been explained to me:
Asian MMO players don’t deal with the monthly plan the same way we do- most use computers in internet cafes, which then charge hourly fees, who then kick back fees based on who’s playing what. The9 administrates this, thus “distributing” the game.
Lately, The9 has been complaining a bit- Blizzard wants to charge them for every expansion on all of these thousands upon thousands of computers, as that’s how they roll, apparently- The9 wants it given to them for free as an add-on to the original game, basically, as that’s how they roll (Both have legs to stand on, sort of- Blizzards current plan is that new areas in the original world will be given to everyone for free, all around the world- but the new areas on Draenor, and the ability to make characters of the new race won’t, and this is apparently what the sticking point is). I’ve also heard that Blizzard may have even considered releasing “WOW BC” as a technically seperate game entirely, to get around this.
Interesting perspective, sir. Thank you for your insight.