'Minecraft' Arrives In China, Thanks To Microsoft - NetEase Deal

"Minecraft" is coming to China. A press release has confirmed that the largely popular game's upcoming release in the country is the result of a partnership agreement between NetEase and the Microsoft. The five-year exclusive contract has allowed both companies to authorize "Minecraft's" mobile and PC editions to a NetEase affiliate that operates in the mainland China.

The "Minecraft" developer Mojang, which was bought by Microsoft for $2.5 billion in September 2014 will need to develop the game title's version for the Chinese market. Such version will be the one set for release through the partnership of NetEase, according to Venture Beat.

At present, "Minecraft" has over 100 million of registered players who make it an international, cultural phenomenon. Being said that, some have raised some doubts as to why would it need a partnership between Microsoft and NetEase in order to release the game in China, considering that Microsoft has its campus in Shanghai. Others are also wondering why it took several years before the game is released since its official launch in 2011.

According to reports, the cause of the delay is due to the barriers that has been put by the Chinese government in the way of the Western software developers that tried to enter the Chinese market. Before games are launched in China, the publishers are initially required to get six different permits that are mostly difficult to be obtained by foreign companies. Which is why Microsoft had to come at an agreement with NetEase that operates in China and also deals with Chinese publishing tasks for other popular video game creator, Blizzard.

"Minecraft" is finally releasing in China for the Chinese gamers, in spite having to wait for a little more time. This is due to lack of signs regarding the value of the deal between NetEase and the Microsoft, as there is no confirmed time frame regarding the game's schedule of release in China, Tech Radar reported.