Shanghai, China – May 21, 2007.The9 Limited (NASDAQ: NCTY)(“The9”), a leading online game operator in China, announced today that it has, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with G10 Entertainment Korea Corp (“G10”), an online game developer in Korea, for an exclusive license to operate Audition 2, an advanced casual dancing online game, in mainland China. The term of the license is for three years from the commercial launch date of the game in mainland China. The9 also has the exclusive right of first refusal to the license for Audition 3 and two other latest-developed online games owned or distributed by G10.

Audition 2 is the sequel to Audition, a 3D leisure dancing online competition game with rich music elements. The Audition series are session-based casual games enabling players to compete against each other for their game characters' dancing skills during the length of a certain song as well as showing-off their virtual appearance and accessories. Apart from the enjoyment aspect of game-play itself, socialization and identity comprise a major part of the games. Audition, which has been in operation for more than two years in mainland China, currently enjoys a high popularity with over 780,000 peak concurrent users, according to a news release by the game's China operator. Audition 2, with a lot of enhanced features and more community-oriented functions, is also expected to be popular in the mainland China market.

Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are very excited that The9 obtained the exclusive license to operate Audition 2 in mainland China. We believe this exclusive operation license once again demonstrates The9's position as the “Partner of Choice” in China for renowned overseas game developers, and together with EA SPORTS FIFA Online, greatly enhances our casual game portfolio and further diversifies our overall game pipeline. Going forward, we intend to continuously introduce additional high-quality games to China and we are confident that we are well-positioned to take advantage of the rapidly growing Chinese online game market. ”

Mr. Kee Young Kim, G10's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased to have The9 as our exclusive partner for Audition 2 in mainland China. With a proven track record and impressive operational capabilities, we are highly confident that The9 will lead this game to be a success in China. We intend to launch the game for beta testing in Korea in the second half of 2007 and anticipate China’s launch will follow soon afterwards. We will work closely with The9 and provide our seamless support to bring a fantastic gaming experience of Audition 2 to millions of fashionable Chinese online gamers.”


About The9 Limited

The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in China. The9's business is primarily focused on operating and developing high-quality games for the Chinese online game players market. The9 directly or through affiliates operates licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU,Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft, Soul of The Ultimate Nation,and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful Journey West, in mainland China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs and advanced casual games in China, including Granado Espada,Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil Chronicle Online,Huxley and FIFA Online.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: http://www.corp.the9.com/