Jeff and Annie Strain Sue NetEase for $900M Over Fraud Claims

Jeff Strain, renowned for his roles in ArenaNet and State of Decay, alongside his wife Annie, has filed a lawsuit against NetEase for $900 million. The lawsuit claims that NetEase caused the downfall of their company, Prytania Media, by falsely informing investors about alleged fraud by the Strains. The complaint details the deterioration of their partnership with NetEase, which began positively after NetEase invested in one of Prytania's subsidiaries, Crop Circle Games. However, tensions arose around compliance with U.S. investment laws, leading to damaging rumors of fraud that allegedly resulted in significant financial losses for Prytania Media, which was once valued at $344 million. The couple seeks damages for defamation and interference with business relations.

The main allegations include defamation, unfair trade practices, and tortious interference with business relations, asserting that NetEase spread false information about the Strains committing fraud, leading to the collapse of Prytania Media.

Jeff Strain is known for his contributions to the gaming industry, particularly for co-founding ArenaNet, the company behind the popular MMORPG Guild Wars. His experience and reputation add significant weight to the legal dispute as he and his wife aim to recover their lost business and reputation amid serious allegations against a major Chinese entity in the gaming sector.