SHANGHAI, China, April 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The9 Limited (Nasdaq:
NCTY) (''The9''), a leading online game operator in China, today announced
that Blizzard Entertainment(R)'s World of Warcraft(R), the
subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG)
has achieved a record peak concurrency of 1 million, the highest
concurrency since the game's commercial launch in June 2005, following the
launch of its new expansion pack, World of Warcraft: The Burning
Crusade(R), in mainland China on September 6, 2007.
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade is the first expansion pack for
the massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Blizzard
Entertainment and operated by The9 in mainland China. In addition to
continuing World of Warcraft's epic story line, Blizzard Entertainment's
Burning Crusade expansion pack has extended the existing game content in a
variety of ways, raising the original game to new heights. After the launch
of the expansion pack, many existing players returned to the game and
numerous new players have also been attracted to participate in the
experience. It is no doubt that the epic game content and quality of
Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade has once
again written a new chapter in mainland China's online game history.
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 market. The9 directly or through
affiliates operates licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU(R), Blizzard
Entertainment(R)'s World of Warcraft(R), Soul of The Ultimate Nation(TM),
Granado Espada, and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful Journey West(TM),
in mainland China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate
additional MMORPGs and advanced casual games in mainland China, including
Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil Chronicle Online, Huxley(TM),
FIFA Online 2, Audition 2, Field of Honor and Audition. In addition, The9
is also developing various proprietary games, including Warriors of Fate
Online(TM) and Fantastic Melody Online(TM).
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft(R) and the
Warcraft(R), StarCraft(R), and Diablo(R) series, Blizzard Entertainment,
Inc. ( http://www.blizzard.com ), a division of Vivendi Games, is a premier
developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating
some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard
Entertainment's track record includes ten #1-selling games and multiple
Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service,
Battle.net(R), is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active
users.
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
Web: http://www.corp.the9.com/
SOURCE The9 Limited
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Related links:
http://www.corp.the9.com/
http://www.blizzard.com
CONTACT:
Ms. Dahlia Wei, Senior Manager, Investor
Relations of The9 Limited, +86-21-5172-9990, or IR@corp.the9.com
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