The9 Limited
Obtains Exclusive License to Operate Huxley
in Mainland China
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Shanghai, China – February 12, 2007.The9 Limited
(NASDAQ: NCTY)(“The9”), a leading online game operator
in China, announced today that it has, through its wholly-owned
subsidiary, entered into an agreement with Webzen Inc.
(“Webzen”), an online game developer and publisher in
Korea, for an exclusive license to operate Huxley, a
massively multiplayer online first-person shooting game
(“MMOFPS”) in mainland China. The term of the license
is for three years from the date of commercial launch
of the game in mainland China. Under the agreement,
The9 has agreed, among others, to pay installation and
license fees, as well as running royalties with minimum
payment guarantees if certain operational results are
achieved.
Developed by Webzen, Huxley delivers the excitement
and rich game-play experience of an MMORPG with a focus
on first person shorting (“FPS”) features. The game
enables players to communicate with each other in a
virtual online world, and participate in side battles
with the intuitive player vs. player system. Huxley
goes beyond the traditional death match FPS game-play
by challenging players to adapt new forms of combat
to protect the interests of its team, and requires players
to strategize and to cooperate to achieve victory. The
game also boasts advanced artificial intelligence that
rivals other online games. In addition, the characters
in Huxley are continuously growing, which is rare in
FPS games. Players are able to enhance their own combat
styles by obtaining scarce weapons and new skills, which
in turn cause players to adopt different game-play styles
as they progress.
Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
commented: “We are very pleased that The9 obtained,
in addition to Soul of The Ultimate Nation ,
another exclusive license to operate a high-caliber
game from Webzen in mainland China. The FPS style game
is one of the key genres of online games. With unique
game features and a clear-cut FPS focus, we believe
Huxley has much prospects for the Chinese online game
market, and will further enhance and diversify The9's
game portfolio. The9 and Webzen have established a long-term
partnership since we started cooperating in connection
with the MU
game five years ago. We are confident that The9's operational
capabilities, combined with Webzen's expertise as a
leading game developer, will result in Huxley's becoming
a successful game in mainland 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 MU ,
Mystina Online, Blizzard Entertainment 's
World of Warcraft ,
and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful Journey West ,
in China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to
operate additional MMORPGs in China, including Granado
Espada, Soul of The Ultimate Nation ,
Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil
Chronicle Online and Huxley. In addition, The9 is also
working on the development of a 3D fantasy MMORPG game,
Fantasy Melody Online .
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, information disseminated over the Internet
and Internet content providers in China, intensified
government regulation of Internet cafes, 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 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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