SHANGHAI, China, Dec. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Giant Interactive Group Inc. (NYSE: GA), one of China’s leading online game developers and operators, announced today that it plans to officially begin the closed beta testing of Giant Online, its self developed 2.5 dimensional Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game ("MMORPG"), on December 29, 2007.
Closed beta testing is a critical step in game development. Generally speaking, the initiation of closed beta testing signifies the completion of overall game design and the selective release to a particular group of players for user testing. During closed beta testing, game developers will further refine game content and designs in accordance to the feedbacks from the users.
Giant Online’s development was officially initiated in 2006, comprising of hundreds of highly experienced game designers and R&D staff participating in the development process.
Compared to other similar games, "Giant" has some outstanding features. First, Giant Online enables up to one million concurrent players in a single shard and greatly enhances the interactivity among players. Secondly, Giant Online can easily provide players with a wide variety of appealing gaming experiences, in addition to MMORPGs. These new varieties include casual games, sports games and much more, depending on the players’ demands. In addition, Giant Online offers 14 unique and creative occupations, while other games only offer a few. Furthermore, the players will also be impressed by a series of weapon designs such as aircraft carriers, airplanes, tanks and etc.
Following the closed beta testing, the company plans to initiate nationwide sales and marketing efforts to promote Giant Online across major markets in China.
For the Company’s existing ZT Online game, the Company will soon release a new expansion pack, called "Making Friends," in order to further enhance the interactivity within the game.
About Giant Interactive Group Inc.
Giant Interactive Group Inc. (NYSE: GA) is one of China’s leading online game developers and operators in terms of revenues, focusing on massively multiplayer online role playing games. Giant’s game, ZT Online, was voted the most popular online game in China in 2006 according to International Data Corporation. Giant has three additional online games that it intends to commercially launch, including ZT Online PTP, Giant Online and King of Kings III. Giant has built a nationwide distribution network to sell prepaid game cards and game points required to play its games, which as of September 30, 2007, consisted of over 200 distributors, and reached over 116,500 retail outlets, including internet cafes, software stores, supermarkets, bookstores, newspaper stands and convenience stores located throughout China. For more information, please visit Giant Interactive Group on the web at http://www.giantig.com .
Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to the Company’s intent to vigorously defend its securities class action lawsuit and its beliefs concerning the lawsuit. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the Company’s ability to obtain insurance coverage or otherwise pay defense costs in any pending litigation, and other risk factors as outlined under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 12 of our prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2007. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Contact:
Eric He, CFO
Giant Interactive Group Inc.
Tel: +86-21-6451-5001
Investor Relations (US):
Mahmoud Siddig
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Investor Relations (HK):
Ruby Yim
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +852-3196-3712
Media Contact:
John Dooley
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
