SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 11 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Giant Interactive Group Inc. (NYSE: GA) ("Giant" or the "Company"), one of China's leading online game developers and operators, announced today it plans to commence open beta testing of ZT Online Classic Edition on September 27, 2008.
Since the launch of closed beta testing on July 23, 2008, ZT Online Classic Edition has reengaged over 500,000 former ZT Online players with more than 300,000 active daily users and 150,000 peak concurrent users.
Mr. Yuzhu Shi, Giant's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, "We are pleased with the rapidly growing popularity of ZT Online Classic Edition among former ZT Online players. As with all of our games, we will continue to invest sufficient resources into R&D and customer service to provide players of ZT Online Classic Edition with the best gaming experience possible. We look to expand and strengthen the ZT Online series community by fostering player loyalty and growing the player base, which we believe will help extend the game's lifecycle over the long-term."
About Giant
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 first game, ZT Online, was voted the most popular online game in China in 2006 according to the International Data Corporation. The Company's second game, Giant Online, entered into open beta testing on March 28, 2008. Giant has two additional online games that it intends to commercially launch, including King of Kings III and Empire of Sports. Giant has built a nationwide distribution network to sell the prepaid game cards and game points required to play its games, which as of June 30, 2008 consisted of over 270 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.ga-me.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Giant's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking. These statements include, among other things, Giant's ability to expand its player base and increase player loyalty through the popularity of ZT Online Classic Edition. Actual results may vary considerably; ZT Online Classic Edition may not generate the anticipated benefits, including broadening of our player base and increasing player loyalty or otherwise increasing revenues and generating shareholder value. In addition, Giant's industry is highly competitive and it faces a number of risks including those outlined under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 of Giant's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2008. Giant undertakes 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:
Rich Chiang, IR Manager
Giant Interactive Group Inc.
Tel: +86-21-6451-1258
Investor Relations (US):
Mahmoud Siddig, Director
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Investor Relations (HK):
Ruby Yim, Managing Director
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +852-3196-3712
Media Contact:
John Dudzinsky, Director
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
