BEIJING — It could almost be a "World of Warcraft" game session: Two competing titans, plotting against each other, swapping blows, embarked on a quest for a single prize that only the stronger will claim.

But this is not virtual reality. The titans are two agencies of the Chinese government. And their quest, during which they have traded a few blows in the past week, is for a potentially rich prize: the power to regulate the real "World of Warcraft," among the most popular online games in China.

The background: On Monday, the Chinese General Administration of Press and Publication ordered the Shanghai-based operator of "World of Warcraft," NetEase, to shut down its servers for "World of Warcraft." The agency said it had rejected the company's application to become the new host of the game's 4 million Chinese players.

The Ministry of Culture struck back Wednesday.

"In regards to the 'World of Warcraft' incident, the General Administratio...

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