SHANGHAI, China, May 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-/ -- The9 Limited , a leading online game operator in China, today announced that it has, through its subsidiary, entered into an agreement with HanbitSoft, Inc., one of the world leading developer and publisher of online games, for an exclusive license to operate the Hellgate: London(R) game, an action role-playing game ("RPG") in mainland China. The term of the license is three years from the date of commercial launch of Hellgate: London(R) in mainland China. Under the agreement, The9 has agreed to, among other things, pay a total of US$5 million in license fees as well as guaranteed royalties equal to the greater of 21% of the retail value of the prepaid game cards produced for use or a total of US$30 million over the 3-year license period.
Hellgate: London(R) is a highly randomized action 3D game, combining the features of both massively multiplayer online role playing games ("MMORPG") and first person shooting ("FPS") games that caters to the tastes and preferences of many online game players. It is the first RPG developed by Flagship Studios, whose key members are former executives and developers of Blizzard North(R) and the creators of the globally best-selling Diablo(R) game series. Mr. Bill Roper, the "Godfather of Diablo" and one of the founders of Blizzard North(R), is the Executive Producer of the Hellgate: London(R) game. HanbitSoft, Inc. is the authorized publisher of Hellgate: London(R). Given the exceptional reputation and proven track record of the development team of Hellgate: London(R), this game is highly anticipated by online game players worldwide.
Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are very pleased that The9 obtained the exclusive license to operate Hellgate: London(R) in mainland China. This once again proves that The9 is the partner of choice in China for renowned overseas game developers. We remain dedicated to our core strategy of offering best quality games to Chinese gamers. The addition of Hellgate: London(R), the franchise product of Flagship Studios, to The9's game pipeline, will further strengthen and diversify The9's game portfolio. We will further leverage our operating experience and strong market position in China and will work closely with HanbitSoft and Flagship Studios to offer the Chinese players the most fantastic game play experience."
Mr. Alex Kim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HanbitSoft, Inc., said: "It is very exciting to join hands with China's leading game operator The9 to bring Hellgate: London(R) to the mainland China online game market. I truly believe that Hellgate: London(R)'s great content and quality, together with The9's strong operating capabilities will eventually lead this game to a huge success in China. HanbitSoft, Inc., of course, will provide our full-scale support."
Mr. Bill Roper, Chief Executive Officer of Flagship Studios, added: "Hellgate: London(R) is a dream project for all of us here at Flagship Studios. We are pleased to see The9 obtained the exclusive license to operate the Hellgate: London(R) game in mainland China, as we have always thought very highly of The9's operational expertise in China. We believe that through close cooperation among Flagship Studios, HanbitSoft, Inc., and The9, Hellgate: London(R) will achieve a high level of operational success 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 Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft(R), MU(R) and Mystina Online(R), in China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs in China, including Granado Espada(R), Soul of The Ultimate Nation(R), Guild Wars(R), and Hellgate: London(R). In addition, The9 has developed its first proprietary MMORPG titled "Joyful Journey West", which entered all-access public open beta testing in August 2005.
About HanbitSoft, Inc.
HanbitSoft, Inc. was established in 1999 and its focus is heading to on fastly increasing online game industry. Currently, six competitive online game titles are introduced to global gamers all over the world, and four more potentially big hits are on their ways. In the meantime, HanbitSoft is continuously investing on prominent games under development process in an effort to leverage the game industry in general, which includes: developing MMOG through in-house studio, investing potential Korean and oversea studios such as IMC GAMES, FLAGSHIP STUDIOS, and STUDIO MARS. And as a global publisher, publishing various genre of MMOG such as: Granado Espada, Neo Steam, Neo Baseball, Hellgate: London, Tantra, PangYa, Survival Project and WYD. HanbitSoft is moving forward to become a global leading entertainment corporation with distinguished publishing as well as marketing capacity.
About Flagship Studios
Flagship Studios is a creator of innovative entertainment software, designing games that focus on ease of play, replayablility and fun. The studio was formed in 2003 by former executives and developers from Blizzard North(R) and represents the creators of the worldwide, best-selling Diablo(R) franchise. With members that are renowned within the gaming industry, Flagship Studios embodies a team that has worked together for over a decade and have numerous #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards to their credit. For more information about Flagship Studios, log onto http://www.flagshipstudios.com/.
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 and information disseminated over the Internet in China, intensified government regulation of online game operators and Internet cafes in China, 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, and 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:
