The9 Limited
Announces Significant Player Demand in Soul of the
Ultimate Nation
All-Access Open Beta Testing in China
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Shanghai, China – April 25, 2007.The9 Limited (NASDAQ:
NCTY) (“The9”), a leading online game operator in China,
today announced that Soul of The Ultimate NationTM (“SUN”),
a highly-anticipated 3D massively multiplayer online
role playing game (“MMORPG”) developed by a leading
Korean game developer and operator, Webzen, Inc. (“Webzen”),
and exclusively operated by The9 in mainland China,
has achieved peak concurrent users of approximately
400,000 players in the first week of its all-access
open beta testing.
On April 18, 2007, The9 launched all-access open beta
testing for SUN. Shortly thereafter, all initial 24
server realms running on a total of four server sites
were filled to capacity with eager players. To accommodate
the significant player demand, later the same day, The9
opened four additional server realms. The following
day, The9 opened the remaining four server realms, which
resulted in the full utilization of the initial four
server sites, and achieved peak concurrent users in
excess of 400,000 players. On April 25, 2007, The9 launched
a brand new fifth server site, opening all its eight
server realms, to allow more players to experience the
exciting SUN game.
The success of SUN’s all-access open beta testing once
again demonstrates The9’s strong operational capabilities
and its leadership in the growing online games industry
in China. We will continue to launch server sites for
SUN to meet the demands of Chinese game players. At
the same time, we intend to continue to work with Webzen
to provide content upgrades so as to bring fantastic
gaming experience to Chinese players and to pave the
way for even bigger successes of the SUN game 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 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. 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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