The9 Limited Announces Board Approval of Buy-back of Up to US$50 million of its Shares

SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) (“The9”), a leading online game operator in China, announced today its Board of Directors has authorized a buy-back of up to $50 million of its American Depositary Shares, each of which represents one share of The9’s ordinary shares. The company will buy the shares in the open market and expects the purchases to be funded from existing cash reserves.

Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The9 said, “Our business and competitive position in China continue to be strong and therefore we are confident of the company’s future performance. We think that the current shares price level do not reflect the company’s value and potential. Mirroring this confidence, our board of directors has authorized the company to repurchase up to $50 million of its own stock. We believe that this is a good investment opportunity for the company to repurchase its own shares at the prevailing price level.”

About The9 Limited

The9 Limited is a leading online game operator 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), 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 Granado Espada, Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil Chronicle Online, Huxley(TM), FIFA Online 2, Audition 2 and Field of Honor. In addition, The9 is also developing two proprietary MMORPG games, Fantastic Melody Online(TM) and Warriors of Fate Online.

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.