China’s World of Warcraft Punishes Over 27,000 Players in Continued Crackdown on RMT Boosting

Real-money trading (RMT) schemes plaguing MMORPGs aren’t exclusive to Western players. Even the Chinese version of World of Warcraft is struggling with rampant boosting services that let players purchase achievements, world-first clears, and endgame carries. NetEase, which operates the game in China, has responded with aggressive sanctions to combat the issue.

The company recently announced stricter measures (translated via Wowhead), including stripping raid gear and Great Vault rewards from offenders, revoking Mythic+ and PvP titles/mounts tied to boosting, and suspending accounts for PvP win-trading or sabotage. These steps follow over 27,000 disciplinary actions imposed since 2024 against account sharing and paid carry services, signaling a doubling-down on enforcement.

NetEase emphasized how RMT erodes competitive integrity: Legitimate players have been robbed of Hall of Fame accolades and server-first boss kills, while achievements are increasingly dismissed as “bought” rather than earned. “This toxic environment insults the dedication of skilled players,” the company stated, vowing to “restore fairness” by curtailing exploitative practices.