And, according to a person familiar with the matter, Ms. Liu told Mr. Clegg that the Chinese government was resolved to handle the case in accordance with the law.

WSJ: U.K. Raises Brit's Death in China Talks

But as was the case in console-based gaming, the Chinese government has intervened, says Ning Liu, an analyst at BDA. Licensing of new versions of foreign games has been delayed, and local firms have gradually learnt to develop their own products.

ECONOMIST: Online gaming in China

The development was one of many surprises in a case that has been closely tracked by New York's political world and has complicated Mr. Liu's ambitions for more than a year.

WSJ: Trial Tied to Liu Delayed