Highlights

  • NetEase revealed a new Lightforged Gorehowl statue to commemorate its renewed partnership with Blizzard.
  • The new statue is a 50-foot long, glowing weapon with messages from Chinese WoW players.
  • The statue will be on display in Shanghai until July 7, then relocated to the NetEase office park.

NetEase has officially revealed Lightforged Gorehowl, a massive new World of Warcraft statue to commemorate the renewed partnership with Blizzard. Equipped with golden backlights and engraved with messages from returning Chinese World of Warcraft players, this new Gorehowl is a literal glow-up compared to its predecessor.

In late 2022 into early 2023, NetEase and Blizzard had a falling out after their many years of partnership, culminating in the destruction of Blizzard's Chinese offices, including the massive Gorehowl statue it had constructed to commemorate World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor. Then, in April 2024, Blizzard and NetEase announced a renewal of their agreement, expected to go into effect before the end of the year.

Official artwork of the Trading Post from World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.
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However, rather than burying the hatchet, NetEase built a brand-new one. The Lightforged Gorehowl statue is a brilliant sculpture that renders the iconic World of Warcraft axe in a never-before-seen way. Nearly 50 feet long, the radiant weapon features glowing lights, as well as heartfelt messages from Chinese World of Warcraft players. According to the official announcement by WoW China on Weibo, the statue will be on display in Lujiazui Waterfront Park in Shanghai until July 7, after which it will be relocated to the NetEase office park, but Wowhead shared several images for fans unable to see the exhibit in person.

NetEase’s New Gorehowl World of Warcraft Statue

Chinese players lucky enough to have had their words engraved upon the axe will receive word on the exact placement of the message. Fans who make it to see the public exhibition each day can also complete a photography quest to receive an inflatable Lightforged Gorehowl replica, though the charming souvenir is limited to the first 5,000 visitors each day. Either way, NetEase hopes to bring Blizzard games back to its customers over the course of the next several months.

Fans were overjoyed to see this incredible World of Warcraft statue. After over a year of being unable to play WoW, Overwatch 2, and Diablo 4, the Chinese Blizzard community can’t wait to catch up on everything they missed – and their fellow players across the globe are glad they can finally get back to the games they love.

That said, the new Lightforged Gorehowl statue could actually have deeper implications for the lore of World of Warcraft. During the Mag’har Allied Race recruitment scenario in Battle for Azeroth, Grom Hellscream, wielder of Gorehowl, was defeated by Yrel and her Lightbound army. With the Worldsoul Saga’s focus on the battle between the Light and the Void in World of Warcraft, some players are wondering if the Lightforged version of the iconic weapon could return in the future, either in the hands of Yrel, or a Lightbound Grom or Garrosh. Fans will have to wait and see if this statue is a teaser for future content, or just an awesome piece of art.