StarCraft Online rumoured for Chinese online operator

Chinese online games operator NetEase is said to be breaking into the overseas market backed with a huge MMO licence — StarCraft Online.

According to a report on Tradingmarkets.com, NetEase will be operating StarCraft Online, a title developed by World of Warcraft team Blizzard.

Blizzard has not confirmed the existence of any such game, although it has advertised for staff for a new MMO title, currently under wraps at the US developer.

Last May Blizzard revealed a sequel to the popular PC real-time strategy title StarCraft, saying it had been working on the game since 2003.

NetEase operates Fantasy Westward Journey in China, an internally developed MMORPG, which recorded 25 million registered users in April 2005.

According to Tradingmarkets.com NetEase CEO Ding Li has said the company has not signed any contracts, but the company is seeking foreign partners for licensing and co-development deals.