| Authorized CD-KEY Promotion for World of Warcraft® in China |
Shanghai, China – May 22, 2005, The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY), a leading online game operator and developer in China, and Blizzard Entertainment today announced that both companies have decided to use an authorized-CD-key system for World of Warcraft ("WoW") in China in order to provide a stable and fair game environment and top-notch customer service for all players. This system will help protect the game from malicious cheating tools that could otherwise affect most players' enjoyment. Upon WoW's formal commercial launch, only players who have an authorized CD key will be able to activate their accounts and enter the game. As part of a special promotion to celebrate the upcoming launch of WoW, players who obtain an authorized CD key before June 5, 2005 can obtain 66 hours and 40 minutes free game time - a RMB30 value.
The CD-key system and special promotion for WoW will work as follows:
1. After WoW's formal commercial launch, an authorized CD key will be required for players to activate their WoW accounts and enter the game. Each CD key costs RMB30 and can be purchased with a WoW Points Card. Also, each CD key can only be used for a single authentication.
2. We will also issue WoW Points Cards at RMB30 for 600 game points. After the game's formal commercial launch, each Points Card can be used at a rate of 9 points per hour (RMB0.45/hour).
3. The WoW CD-key authentication and charge service are planned to launch on May 26. As long as players purchase an authorized CD key before June 5, 2005, they can obtain 66 hours and 40 minutes free game time (a RMB30 value). During this limited promotional period, we will hold daily drawings to award players who have purchased a WoW CD key with special prizes, such as limited-edition WoW iPod Shuffle MP3s, WoW necklaces, tickets to Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, WoW mouse pads, and more.
4. We will inform players in advance of the exact time of WoW's commercial launch. The charge service for the WoW Points Cards will be activated at the time of the commercial launch.
5. Please note that if a player is found to violate WoW's game policy (such as by using a cheating tool), that player's account will be closed and deleted, and his or her CD key will be deactivated. If the player wants to continue to play WoW, he or she must acquire a new CD key to re-enter the game.
The9 and Blizzard plan to continually add new content to WoW, including new dungeons, new quests, exciting new Player-versus-Player Battlegrounds, and powerful new rewards. In addition to this, the two companies will maintain top-notch technical support for the game and remain vigilant against the use of cheating tools and malicious players who violate game policy.
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator and developer in China . Currently, The 9' s business is primarily focused on operating and developing MMORPGs which would allow thousands of players to concurrently log on to network servers to "role-play" characters in a virtual world.
The9 operates MU in China through 9Webzen Limited, a joint venture in which The9 owns 51%. MU is a 3D MMORPG licensed from Webzen Inc., a Korean online game developer and operator. The9 has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs in China, including "World of Warcraft" ("WoW") licensed from Vivendi Universal Games, "Mystina Online" and "ZhiZun" licensed from online game developers in China, and "Granado Espada" licensed from Hanbitsoft, Inc., a Korean online game developer. In addition, The9 has developed its first proprietary MMORPG titled "Joyful Journey West" ("JJW") which will commence open-beta test in the second half of 2005.
The9 commercially launched MU and Mystina Online in early 2003 and early 2005 , respectively , and expects to commercially launch WoW , JJW and ZhiZun in China in 2005. Since it commenced operations in 1999, The9 has experienced substantial growth and become one of the largest online game operators in China .
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. The9 may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F and 6-K, etc., in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about The9's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, The9's limited operating history as an online game operator, The9's ability to retain existing players and attract new players, license, develop or acquire additional online games that are appealing to users, anticipate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and respond to competitive market conditions, and other risks and uncertainties outlined in The9's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended. The9 does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For further information about The9, please contact
Ms. Hannah Lee
The9 Limited
Tel: +86 (21) 3217-4567 ext. 9990
Email: |
