www.Multiplayergames.com – Multiplayer Games

China’s General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) issued a press release stating it was halting its review of NetEase’s licensed MMORPG World of Warcraft (The Burning Crusade) and the application for the operation of WoW in China was being returned. GAPP has also asked NetEase to stop subscription charging and new account registration, deeming it “illegal behavior.” Overreact much? Not quite.

According to GAPP, NetEase was allowed to start closed beta testing on July 30 on the condition that it did not charge gamers and did not allow new account registration without GAPP approval. In essence, only previously registered players should have been able to participate in the Burning Crusade beta. Since September 19th however, NetEase jumped the gun and began to charge players and accept the registration of new users. It’s no real surprise that GAPP took action.

However, GAPP has threatened to punish the company by means that include suspending its internet service, which seems rather severe. At the same time, an official from the Ministry of Culture has stated that such actions by the GAPP are not appropriate.

In the end, it seems to this writer that NetEase isn’t paying the right people off, or isn’t paying them enough. NetEase really shouldn’t have gone ahead and broken the terms of service with the GAPP, but at the same time, the content was already approved in China when it was run by The9. How very curious indeed.

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