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| The9 Announces World of Warcraft® Exceeds 1.5 Million Paying Players in China |
Shanghai, China - July 20, 2005. The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) today announced that its paying player base for World of Warcraft (WoW) has surpassed 1.5 million in China - just a month following the game's commercial launch on June 7, 2005. WoW is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Zhu Jun, The9's Chairman and CEO, commented: "The success of World of Warcraft in China is a testament to the strength of The9's operational capabilities. We will continue to deliver unparalleled quality service to promote the most fulfilling entertainment experience for our players. I wish to congratulate The9's dedicated team and thank our partner Blizzard Entertainment for their efforts in making World of Warcraft an undeniable success."
Mike Morhaime, President and Co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, said: "World of Warcraft's success in China has quickly exceeded our expectations, and seeing Chinese gamers respond so enthusiastically to the game has been extremely gratifying. We thank the players for embracing World of Warcraft, our partner The9 for helping to make all of this possible, and the Chinese authorities for their support of Blizzard Entertainment."
"Chinese gamers across the country have embraced World of Warcraft," said Michael Fong, Blizzard Entertainment Managing Director, Greater China, "and we are committed to responding with continual updates to the game, including new dungeons for players to explore, additional player-vs.-player content, ongoing live events, and much more. Blizzard and The9 also remain dedicated to delivering unparalleled service to Chinese gamers with fully localized content and local, around-the-clock customer support."
World of Warcraft's Player Base Definition
World of Warcraft players include individuals who have purchased a CD-Key to access World of Warcraft in China and excludes players under free promotions.
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator and developer in China which commenced operations in 1999. Currently, The9's business is primarily focused on operating and developing MMORPGs. The9 operates licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU, WoW and Mystina Online, in China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs in China, including ZhiZun and Granado Espada. In addition, The9 has developed its first proprietary MMORPG titled "Joyful Journey West" ("JJW"). The9 currently expects to commence free testing of JJW and ZhiZun in China in the second half of 2005.
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
James Rhee, CFA
Investor Relations & Overseas Business Development - Senior Director
The9 Limited
Tel: +86 (21) 3217-4567 ext. 9990
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