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| WoW Open Beta Testing Date Pushes Up to April 26, 2005 |
The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY), a leading online game operator and developer in China, today announce the official date for the open beta testing of World of Warcraft ("WoW") to be April 26, 2005, earlier than the originally planned April 29, 2005. With the joint effort of The9 and Blizzard Entertainment, WoW's open beta testing date has been brought forward by three days to accommodate tremendous requests and strong expectations from players.
WoW, licensed from Vivendi Universal Games Inc. ("Vivendi"), is a 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game ("MMORPG") developed by Blizzard Entertainment, the game development studio of Vivendi. WoW provides an online role-playing experience set in the Warcraft universe, allowing millions of players to interact within the amazing Warcraft virtual world.
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator and developer in China. Currently, The9's business is primarily focused on operating and developing MMORPGs which would allow thousands of players to concurrently log on to network servers to "role-play" characters in a virtual word.
The9 operates MU in China through 9Webzen Limited, a joint venture in which The9 owns 51%. MU is a 3D MMORPG licensed from Webzen Inc., a Korean online game developer and operator. The9 has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs in China, including "World of Warcraft" ("WoW") licensed from Vivendi Universal Games, "Mystina Online" and "ZhiZun" licensed from online game developers in China, and "Granado Espada" licensed from Hanbitsoft, Inc., a Korean online game developer. In addition, The9 has developed its first proprietary MMORPG titled "Joyful Journey West" ("JJW").
The9 commercially launched MU and Mystina Online in early 2003 and early 2005, respectively, and expects to commercially launch WoW, JJW and ZhiZun in China in 2005. Since it commenced operations in 1999, The9 has experienced substantial growth and become one of the largest online game operators in China.
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. 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, 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. The9 does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
For further information about The9, please contact
Ms. Hannah Lee
The9 Limited
Tel: +86 (21) 3217-4567 ext. 9990
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