Chinese gamers can once again play World of Warcraft, but returning players will have to start from scratch — losing all the loot and experience they earned during previous sessions.
Warcraft relaunched this weekend in China after being inaccessible since June due to changes in licensing, according to Global Times. Online gaming concern NetEase gained permission to run the massively multiplayer online role-playing game in China, taking over for The9. The Chinese Warcraft servers have been up and running since June 30 for a prolonged testing period — an expense that reportedly cost NetEase 1 million yuan ($146,455) a day.
NetEase plans to submit The Wrath of the Lich King, the second Warcraft expansion, to the Chinese government for approval as soon as possible. Recent clarifications on the government approval process for online gaming could mean changes in the way such titles are regulated.
According to China's State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform, the General Administration of Press and Publication will be responsible for pre-approvals of online games. Once up and running, regulation will be handed off to the Ministry of Culture. It is thought that the complexities of regulation in China were responsible for the summer-long delay in getting Warcraft back online in the country.
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