BEIJING, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Perfect World Co., Ltd.
(Nasdaq: PWRD) ("Perfect World" or the "Company"), a leading online game developer and operator in China, today announced that it will begin closed beta testing for "Pocketpet Journey West," a 3D MMORPG, in North America on February 10, 2009. The game will be released as "Ether Saga Online" through its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Perfect World Entertainment Inc.
Based on the Chinese literary classic, Journey to the West, "Ether Saga Online" features youthful anime graphics, as well as exciting in-game systems, and has been localized to cater to North American game players. Since the game's launch in China in October 2008, it has been well-received by domestic online game players.
Mr. Michael Chi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perfect World commented, "I am pleased with our progress on the introduction of 'Ether Saga Online' to the North American market. I believe the closed beta launch will generate broad interest in our online game given its appealing design and unique in-game experience. Our further expansion into the North American market will accelerate our evolution into a comprehensive international online game developer and operator."
About Perfect World Co., Ltd. (http://www.pwrd.com )
Perfect World Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: PWRD) is a leading online game developer and operator in China. Perfect World primarily develops
three-dimensional ("3D") online games based on the proprietary Angelica 3D game engine and game development platform. The Company's strong technology and creative game design capabilities, combined with extensive local knowledge and experience, enable it to frequently and rapidly introduce popular games that are designed to cater to changing customer preferences and market trends in China. The Company's current portfolio of self-developed online games includes 3D massively multiplayer online role playing games ("MMORPGs"): "Perfect World," "Legend of Martial Arts," "Perfect World II," "Zhu Xian," "Chi Bi" and "Pocketpet Journey West;" and a 3D online casual game: "Hot Dance Party." While a substantial portion of the revenues are generated in China, the Company's games have been licensed to leading game operators in a number of countries and regions in Asia, Europe and South America. The Company also generates revenues from game operation in North America. The Company plans to continue to explore new and innovative business models and remains deeply committed to maximizing shareholder value over time.
Safe Harbor Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "future," "plans," "believes" and similar statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our limited operating history, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, our ability to respond to competitive pressure, changes of the regulatory environment in China, and economic slowdown in China and/or elsewhere. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Perfect World's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Perfect World does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.
For further information, please contact:
Perfect World Co., Ltd.
Vivien Wang
Investor Relations Officer
Tel: +86-10-5885-1813
Fax: +86-10-5885-6899
Email: ir@pwrd.com
Web: http://www.pwrd.com
Christensen Investor Relations
Kathy Li
Tel: +1-480-614-3036
Fax: +1-480-614-3033
Email: kli@christensenir.com
Roger Hu
Tel: +852-2117-0861
Fax: +852-2117-0869
Email: rhu@christensenir.com
