SHANGHAI, China, April 26 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ The9 Limited
(Nasdaq: NCTY) ("The9"), a leading online game operator in China, today announced that Soul of The Ultimate Nation(TM)("SUN"),a highly-anticipated 3D massively multiplayer online role playing game ("MMORPG")developed by a leading Korean game developer and operator, Webzen, Inc. ("Webzen"), and exclusively operated by The9 in mainland China, has achieved peak concurrent usersof approximately 400,000 players in the first week of its all-access open beta testing.
On April 18, 2007, The9 launched all-access open beta testingfor SUN. Shortly thereafter, all initial24 server realms running on a total of four server sites were filled to capacity with eager players. To accommodatethe significant player demand, later the same day, The9opened four additional server realms. The following day, The9opened the remaining four server realms, which resulted in the full utilization of the initial four server sites, and achieved peak concurrent users in excess of 400,000 players. On April 25, 2007, The9 launched a brand new fifth server site, opening all its eight server realms, to allow more players to experience the exciting SUN game.
The success of SUN's all-access open beta testing once again demonstrates The9's strong operational capabilities and its leadership in the growing online games industry in China. We will continue to launch server sites for SUN to meet the demands of Chinese game players. At the same time, we intend to continue to work with Webzen to provide content upgrades so as to bring fantastic gaming experience to Chinese players and to pave the way for even bigger successes of the SUN game in China.
About The9 Limited
The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in China.The9's business is primarily focused on operating and developing MMORPGs for the Chinese online game players market. The9 directly or through affiliates operates licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU(R), Mystina Online, Blizzard Entertainment(R)'s World of Warcraft(R), and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful Journey West(TM), in China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs in China, including Granado Espada, Soul of The Ultimate Nation(TM), Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil Chronicle Online,and Huxley. The9 is also working on the development of a 3D fantasy MMORPG game, FantasticMelody Online(TM).
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.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Dahlia Wei
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
The9 Limited
Tel: +86-21-5172-9990
Email: IR@corp.the9.com
Website: http://www.corp.the9.com/
