Cataclysm to launch in China next month

Seven months after its Western release, World Of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm will be released in mainland China on July 12.

"We've always appreciated Chinese gamers' passion and support for World of Warcraft, and we're excited that they'll soon be able to enjoy all of the great new content this expansion has to offer," commented Mike Morhaime, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment.

The late release is an improvement on previous expansion packs, with The Burning Crusade launching eight months after the West and The Wrath of Lich King, which was rejected twice by the Chinese government, released 23 months after the West.

At the time Blizzard credited the Chinese release of The Wrath of Lich King, with helping to push player numbers above 12 million.

World of Warcraft has had a troubled history in China, facing objections from China's General Administration of Press and Publication, and moving operators from The9 to NetEase.