NetEase smashes up giant World of Warcraft statue, as bitter divorce from Activision Blizzard continues

NetEase staff have smashed up a giant World of Warcraft statue by their studio, as the ongoing and increasingly bitter dispute between it and Activision Blizzard continues.

Earlier this week, Activision Blizzard revealed it was now seeking a new Chinese publisher as its current deal with NetEase, its long-standing local operator in the country, concludes this month in a war of words – and now hammers. Controversially, Activision Blizzard claimed it had offered NetEase a six-month extension to its contract – and said it was a “pity” NetEase had not taken up its offer.

In response, staff at NetEase have seemingly made their feelings clear – by taking mallets to a large World of Warcraft sculpture and tearing it down, before sipping on NetEase-branded drinks. The event was even livestreamed on social media to some 30,000 people, according to a report by WOWHead.

The drinks in question were reportedly a reference to a Chinese slur for a seemingly innocent but ultimately manipulative person – literally branded as a “Green Tea”.

Alongside the statue smashing session, NetEase responded in slightly more formal fashion with a lengthy statement on Activision Blizzard’s claim about its recent six-month extension offer – something which would have seen NetEase continue to operate World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch and other Blizzard titles in China on a temporary basis while Activision Blizzard shopped for a new deal elsewhere.