MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase Suspending Game Services in China

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Entertainment, Consumer Electronics, Technology, Online, Software, Internet, Electronic Games, Workforce, Microsoft, Behavior, Entertainment, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation, File, Creativity, Xbox, Android, Lich King, Game of the Year, Publishing, Nintendo Switch, NetEase, Annual report, Blizzard Entertainment, Quality control, Internet, ATVI, COVID-19, IOS, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Video game, Risk management, Hearthstone

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it will be suspending most Blizzard game services in mainland China due to the expiration of the current licensing agreements with NetEase, Inc. on January 23, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. announced today that it will be suspending most Blizzard game services in mainland China due to the expiration of the current licensing agreements with NetEase, Inc. on January 23, 2023.
  • Blizzard Entertainment has had licensing agreements with NetEase since 2008, covering the publication of these Blizzard titles in China.
  • Were immensely grateful for the passion our Chinese community has shown throughout the nearly 20 years weve been bringing our games to China through NetEase and other partners, said Mike Ybarra, president, Blizzard Entertainment.
  • Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. ( www.blizzard.com ), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences.

NetEase Announces Non-Renewal of Licenses with Blizzard

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Storm, Cloud, Ecosystem, SEC, Growth, Activision Blizzard, Technology, Blizzard Entertainment, NetEase, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Media, Government, ESG, Income, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, HKEX, ADSS, Black Cloud Music, Industry, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Company, Music, Terminology, Time, Education, Stock exchange, NYSE, Holding, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Culture, COVID-19, CEO, MSCI, NASDAQ, Risk, Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Internet, World of Warcraft, Renminbi, Blizzard, Publishing, Video game, Youdao, Hearthstone

We will make sure our players' data and assets are well protected in all of our games," said William Ding, CEO of NetEase.

Key Points: 
  • We will make sure our players' data and assets are well protected in all of our games," said William Ding, CEO of NetEase.
  • As a leading internet technology company based in China, NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX:9999, "NetEase") provides premium online services centered around content creation.
  • By infusing play with culture and education with technology, NetEase transforms gaming into a meaningful vehicle to build a more entertaining and enlightened world.
  • NetEase does not undertake any obligation to update this forward-looking information, except as required under the applicable law.

Butterfinger® Brings In-Game Overwatch® 2 Cosmetics to Players

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Amos, Blizzard Entertainment, Heart, CRUNCH, YouTube, Time, Blizzard, Plant, Ferrero, Kinder, Overwatch (video game), Butterfinger, Multimedia, Keebler Company, Senior, Ferrero SpA, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Nutella, Sport, Video game, Facebook, Overwatch

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Butterfinger®, the crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery chocolate bar, has teamed up with Blizzard Entertainment to offer Overwatch® 2 players in-game content. Marking a new era for the Overwatch universe, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play on all major gaming platforms and will offer Butterfinger fans three downloadable items that can be used in-game, including two sprays and one player icon.

Key Points: 
  • Marking a new era for the Overwatch universe, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play on all major gaming platforms and will offer Butterfinger fans three downloadable items that can be used in-game, including two sprays and one player icon.
  • Players will also have the opportunity to acquire a Geranman Icon, which can be displayed next to their name for other players to see.
  • "We're thrilled to be collaborating with the Blizzard team to bring Overwatch 2 content to gamers," said Neal Finkler, Senior Marketing Director for Butterfinger.
  • Butterfinger continues to help fans game better, #GameBetterWithButterfinger, by working with titles like Overwatch 2 and fan-favorite streamers and creators to bring customers in-game content and experiences.

A Future Worth Fighting for: Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch® 2 Reaches Twenty-Five Million Players in First Ten Days

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 14, 2022
Entertainment, Consumer Electronics, Technology, Other Entertainment, Mobile Entertainment, Electronic Games, Xbox Series X and Series S, Game of the Year, Blizzard Entertainment, Season One, Battle Pass, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., EMEA, PT, Blizzard, Mythic, Support, Player versus environment, Annual report, Multimedia, Nasdaq, Form 10-K, Software, Activision Blizzard, Cyborg, Activision, Nintendo, World of Warcraft, Xbox One, Kiriko, Forward-looking statement, Overwatch (video game), Risk, ATVI, Video game, Cassette tape, Platinum, Overwatch

View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005474/en/

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005474/en/
    The launch of Overwatch 2 has been such an important moment for Blizzard.
  • Were thrilled to bring new players from around the world into Overwatchs vibrant universe while welcoming back the existing Blizzard community, said Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment.
  • The launch is just the first step in the future of Overwatch.
  • Overwatch 2 will receive regular seasonal updates, often including new heroes, maps, game modes, and cosmeticsread about it all at PlayOverwatch.com .

U.S. Supreme Court Denies Worlds’ Petition for Writ of Certiorari as Solicitor General Urges SCOTUS to Clarify Patent Eligibility

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
WDDD, Non-fungible token, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., American, American Axle, Solicitor, Review, Virtual reality, Hope, SCOTUS, Supreme, Education, AR, Activision Blizzard, 3D, Broderbund Software Inc. v. Unison World, Inc., NFT, Invention, Technology, Software, Sport, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, District court, JumpStart 3D Virtual World, CEO, Petition, Patent, Social media, Activision, Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International, GLOBE, USPTO, VR, List, Hearing, Massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Axle, Law of the United Kingdom, Supreme court, OTCQB, CLS Group, Online gambling, Video game, Metaverse, Bloomberg Law

However, there is a glimmer of hope on the patent front in that on October 4, one day after the Supreme Court rejected Worlds request, the U.S.

Key Points: 
  • However, there is a glimmer of hope on the patent front in that on October 4, one day after the Supreme Court rejected Worlds request, the U.S.
  • Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar recommended that the SCOTUS clarify how to determine whether or not an invention is worthy of patent protection.
  • The Solicitor General further stated that a step in the Supreme Courts test for eligibility has created uncertainty and urged the court to review the case.
  • Worlds hopes the Courts review of the Axle case will provide clarity on patent eligibility for a wide array of innovations, including software.

It’s Go Time! Overwatch® 2 is Live Now and Free to Play on Console and PC With New Heroes, Maps, and More

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Technology, Electronic Games, Teens, Women, Entertainment, Men, Software, Other Entertainment, Family, Consumer, Xbox Series X and Series S, Game of the Year, Blizzard Entertainment, Season One, Battle Pass, Loot box, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Blizzard, Woman, Battle pass, Sojourn, Annual report, PC, Multimedia, Nasdaq, Form 10-K, Software, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Nintendo, Season, Gold, Xbox One, Genji, Forward-looking statement, Heart, Map, Overwatch (video game), Cosmetics, Risk, ATVI, Video game, Overwatch

View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221003006046/en/

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221003006046/en/
    Log in today to play as the recently unveiled support hero Kiriko: a fierce protector with a heart of gold.
  • She joins tank hero Junker Queen and damage hero Sojourn as three game-changing women rounding out a playable roster that now includes 35 heroes.
  • Additionally, the diverse cast of characters has never felt more alive, with over 40,000 new voice lines in the game.
  • The Season One Premium Battle Pass includes the first ever Mythic skina customizable skin tier new for Overwatch 2for Genji.

Master the Skies of the Dragon Isles when World of Warcraft® Dragonflight Soars on November 28

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Software, Online, Consumer Electronics, General Entertainment, Mobile Entertainment, Technology, Electronic Games, Entertainment, HUD, Software, ATVI, Activision Blizzard, Form 10-K, Activision, Blizzard Entertainment, Forward-looking statement, Risk, Art, Diadem, UI, Friends, SRP, World of Warcraft, Rise of Incarnates, NASDAQ, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Multimedia, Annual report, Game of the Year, Asmongold, Drake's, Atmosphere, Blizzard, Color, Video game, Video game console, Entertainment, Online shopping, Cassette tape, Dragonriders of Pern (video game)

Players will discover the Dragon Isles and explore four new zoneseach themed around and revealing more about the ancient dragon aspectsall lovingly crafted by the World of Warcraft development team for veteran and new players alike.

Key Points: 
  • Players will discover the Dragon Isles and explore four new zoneseach themed around and revealing more about the ancient dragon aspectsall lovingly crafted by the World of Warcraft development team for veteran and new players alike.
  • As the Dragon Isles awaken, so too do long-forgotten secrets, and players will traverse land and sky as they explore what the Dragon Isles has to offer.
  • Soar through the skies as you master the all-new skill-based art of Dragonriding, which allows players to take to the air on the back of their own Dragon Isles Drake.
  • Dragonflight is available for digital pre-purchase as a Base edition ($49.99 SRP), Heroic edition ($69.99 SRP), and Epic edition ($89.99).

Brave the Frozen North in World of Warcraft®: Wrath of the Lich King Classic™—Live Now

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 26, 2022
Retail, Online, Mobile Entertainment, Technology, Audio, Video, General Entertainment, Women, Online Retail, Teens, Men, Electronic Games, Software, Entertainment, Consumer, Internet, Citadel, Obsidian, Software, ATVI, Lich King, Crusader, Activision Blizzard, Form 10-K, News, Gold, Lich, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision, Forward-looking statement, Risk, History, Heroic, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Friends, World of Warcraft, NASDAQ, Battle.net, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Multimedia, Community, Game of the Year, Asmongold, Annual report, Blizzard, Video game console, Entertainment, Amusement arcade, Video game, Warcraft, Eternity, Classic, Warcraft

The icy winds of Northrend are wailing once more, heralding news that Blizzard Entertainments Wrath of the Lich King Classic is now live.

Key Points: 
  • The icy winds of Northrend are wailing once more, heralding news that Blizzard Entertainments Wrath of the Lich King Classic is now live.
  • The legendary story can be experienced on all realms previously dedicated to World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic content.
  • This journey includes the rise of the fearsome Death Knight hero class, available to all players (even new ones!)
  • For more information on Wrath of the Lich King Classic, visit www.wowclassic.com .

The Game is Afoot in the Newest Hearthstone® Expansion, Murder at Castle Nathria™

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Entertainment, Consumer Electronics, Other Entertainment, Technology, Mobile Entertainment, Software, Electronic Games, Motion, Anima, Legendary, Forward-looking statement, Mechanics, Weapon, Activision Blizzard, IOS, Android, Blizzard Entertainment, Software, Game of the Year, Warcraft, Infusion, Multimedia, NASDAQ, Drinking, The Han Solo Adventures, Activision, Mac, Annual report, Personality, Blizzard, Form 10-K, Risk, ATVI, MDY Industries, LLC v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., Video game, Microsoft Windows, Hearthstone

Murder at Castle Nathria, the latest expansion for Blizzard Entertainments sensational digital card game Hearthstone, is now live.

Key Points: 
  • Murder at Castle Nathria, the latest expansion for Blizzard Entertainments sensational digital card game Hearthstone, is now live.
  • Now, with the castle turned into a crime scene, its up to playersand the brainy Murloc Holmesto figure out whodunit.
  • To help with the demanding detective work, the Hearthstone team is adding a new card type to the game!
  • Murder at Castle Nathria is the second expansion for the Year of the Hydra .

An Iconic Villain Reborn—World of Warcraft®: Wrath of the Lich King Classic™ Launches September 26

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 25, 2022
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This expansion will launch globally at 3pm PDT and will be available on all World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic realms.

Key Points: 
  • This expansion will launch globally at 3pm PDT and will be available on all World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic realms.
  • As former champions of the Lich King, Death Knights conquer their foes using dark magic and runic power.
  • In the lead-up to launch, players can experience Joyous Journeys, a 50%-bonus-XP event that will run until Wrath of the Lich King Classics September 26 launch.
  • For more information on Wrath of the Lich King Classic, visit www.wowclassic.com .