SHANGHAI, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Electronic Arts Inc.
(Nasdaq: ERTS), a leading international interactive entertainment software company and The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY), a leading online games operator in China, today announced that the highly anticipated Mid-Session Game (MSG) for 2008 -- EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 -- will begin close beta testing on December 22, 2008 in China.
EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 is the latest online version of the popular EA SPORTS FIFA franchise of football video games. It is an officially licensed product from FIFA, building on more than a decade of franchise success.
EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 features 30 licensed leagues, over 10,000 real players, 35 stadiums. As a newly added online sports game to the MSG genre in China, EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 delivers the most comprehensive game experience with amazingly stunning, responsive and authentic football graphics, complemented by unique RPG features designed to capture a very wide audience of PC gamers in China.
The brand new EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 has enhanced player controls so that gamers can direct each in-game character to deliver real life football moves. EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 also focuses on player interactivity. Gamers can set up matches, track each others' scores, enjoy other community functions, and even chat in-game. By building up their teams and winning matches, gamers can gain in-game points and rewards to upgrade their players and define their features and skills to advance in the game.
"We are very excited with the progress we're making to introduce the highly anticipated EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 to the large base of football fans and gamers in China. We are working closely with The9 to extend the unmatched FIFA game experience to Chinese gamers," says Jon Niermann, President of EA Asia.
Ms. Chen Xiaowei, President of The9 says, "EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 possesses the best features of a global sports game. In China, we're actively working with our partner EA to add features that are tailor made for local players. It will give both football fans and gamers the ultimate entertainment experience."
The official site of EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA ONLINE 2 is now live. For more information, please visit http://www.eaFIFAonline2.com .
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle (TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com . More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com .
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator and developer 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), EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA Online 2, Audition 2, Field of Honor and Atlantica. In addition, The9 is also developing various proprietary games, including Warriors of Fate Online(TM) and others.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Official FIFA licensed product. (C) The FIFA Brand OLP Logo is a copyright and trademark of FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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.
