Report: Resolution nears for WoW in China
Operator NetEase granted permission to continue operating game
The dispute over World of Warcraft between China's third-largest online games operator NetEase and the country's General Administration of Press and Publication could be resolved shortly, according to reports.
Sources have told Reuters that NetEase has been order to pay a fine to Beijing regulators for allegedly breaching regulations, but that it will be allowed to continue operating the game.
According to a GAPP official, a resolution and announcement regarding the operation of the game will be unveiled "very soon".
The dispute between NetEase and China's authorities began last year following the operator's taking over of the running of the game from The9.
Upon the game's re-release, GAPP claimed it had only authorised a beta release and that taking money and new account registrations was "illegal behaviour" on NetEase's part - an allegation the operator denies as it said the release had been approved by China's Ministry of Culture.
Analysts predict that once the dispute is eventually settled, NetEase will release the Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack in China.