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Shanghai, China – May 29, 2006. The9 Limited (NASDAQ:
NCTY), a leading online game operator in China, today
announced that it has, through its subsidiary, entered
into an agreement with HanbitSoft, Inc., one of the
world leading developer and publisher of online games,
for an exclusive license to operate the Hellgate:
London game, an action role-playing game ("RPG")
in mainland China. The term of the license is three
years from the date of commercial launch of Hellgate:
London in mainland China. Under the agreement,
The9 has agreed to, among other things, pay a total
of US$5 million in license fees as well as guaranteed
royalties equal to the greater of 21% of the retail
value of the prepaid game cards produced for use or
a total of US$30 million over the 3-year license period.
Hellgate: London is a highly randomized action
3D game, combining the features of both massively multiplayer
online role playing games ("MMORPG") and first
person shooting ("FPS") games that caters
to the tastes and preferences of many online game players.
It is the first RPG developed by Flagship Studios, whose
key members are former executives and developers of
Blizzard North and the creators of the globally best-selling
Diablo game series. Mr. Bill Roper, the "Godfather
of Diablo" and one of the founders of Blizzard
North, is the Executive Producer of the Hellgate:
London game. HanbitSoft, Inc. is the authorized
publisher of Hellgate: London. Given the exceptional
reputation and proven track record of the development
team of Hellgate: London, this game is highly
anticipated by online game players worldwide.
Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
commented: "We are very pleased that The9 obtained
the exclusive license to operate Hellgate: London
in mainland China. This once again proves that The9
is the partner of choice in China for renowned overseas
game developers. We remain dedicated to our core strategy
of offering best quality games to Chinese gamers. The
addition of Hellgate: London, the franchise
product of Flagship Studios, to The9's game pipeline,
will further strengthen and diversify The9's game portfolio.
We will further leverage our operating experience and
strong market position in China and will work closely
with HanbitSoft and Flagship Studios to offer the Chinese
players the most fantastic game play experience."
Mr. Alex Kim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of HanbitSoft, Inc., said: "It is very exciting
to join hands with China's leading game operator The9
to bring Hellgate: London to the mainland China
online game market. I truly believe that Hellgate:
London's great content and quality, together with
The9's strong operating capabilities will eventually
lead this game to a huge success in China. HanbitSoft,
Inc., of course, will provide our full-scale support."
Mr. Bill Roper, Chief Executive Officer of Flagship
Studios, added: "Hellgate: London is a
dream project for all of us here at Flagship Studios.
We are pleased to see The9 obtained the exclusive license
to operate the Hellgate: London game in mainland
China, as we have always thought very highly of The9's
operational expertise in China. We believe that through
close cooperation among Flagship Studios, HanbitSoft,
Inc., and The9, Hellgate: London will achieve
a high level of operational success in China."
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in China.
The9's business is primarily focused on operating and
developing MMORPGs for the Chinese online game players
market. The9 directly or through affiliates operates
licensed MMORPGs, consisting of Blizzard Entertainment's
World of Warcraft, MU and Mystina Online, in China.
It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional
MMORPGs in China, including Granado Espada, Soul of
The Ultimate Nation, Guild Wars, and Hellgate:
London. In addition, The9 has developed its first
proprietary MMORPG titled "Joyful Journey West",
which entered all-access public open beta testing in
August 2005.
About HanbitSoft, Inc.
HanbitSoft, Inc. was established in 1999 and its focus
is heading to on fastly increasing online game industry.
Currently, six competitive online game titles are introduced
to global gamers all over the world, and four more potentially
big hits are on their ways. In the meantime, HanbitSoft
is continuously investing on prominent games under development
process in an effort to leverage the game industry in
general, which includes: developing MMOG through in-house
studio, investing potential Korean and oversea studios
such as IMC GAMES, FLAGSHIP STUDIOS, and STUDIO MARS.
And as a global publisher, publishing various genre
of MMOG such as: Granado Espada, Neo Steam, Neo Baseball,
Hellgate: London, Tantra, PangYa, Survival Project
and WYD. HanbitSoft is moving forward to become a global
leading entertainment corporation with distinguished
publishing as well as marketing capacity.
About Flagship Studios
Flagship Studios is a creator of innovative entertainment
software, designing games that focus on ease of play,
replayablility and fun. The studio was formed in 2003
by former executives and developers from Blizzard North
and represents the creators of the worldwide, best-selling
Diablo franchise. With members that are renowned within
the gaming industry, Flagship Studios embodies a team
that has worked together for over a decade and have
numerous #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year
awards to their credit. For more information about Flagship
Studios, log onto .
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. Among other things, the business
outlook and quotations from management in this press
release contain forward-looking 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, political and economic policies of the Chinese
government, the laws and regulations governing the online
game industry and information disseminated over the
Internet in China, intensified government regulation
of online game operators and Internet cafes in China,
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, and annual reports
on Form 20-F. The9 does not undertake any obligation
to update any forward-looking statement, except as required
under applicable law.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Dahlia Wei
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
The9 Limited
Tel: +86 (21) 5172-9990
Email: IR@corp.the9.com
Website:
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