NetEase certainly played a role, but it was in the early engine and business model parts. The story, art, quests, etc. were all Blizzard. NetEase finished their part way way before Blizz finished the rest. NetEase distributes in China (as required by law to have a Chinese company do there), and Blizzard distributes it everywhere else. I don’t know all the details of the legal agreement between the two, but that is still standing despite Blizzard breaking ties with NetEase on all other games in China. Blizzard now only has D:I in China.
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