SHANGHAI, China, Feb. 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The9 Limited
(Nasdaq: NCTY)("The9"), a leading online game operator in China, announced today that it has, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with Webzen Inc. ("Webzen"), an online game developer and publisher in Korea, for an exclusive license to operate Huxley, a massively multiplayer online first-person shooting game ("MMOFPS") in mainland China. The term of the license is for three years from the date of commercial launch of the game in mainland China. Under the agreement, The9 has agreed, among others, to pay installation and license fees, as well as running royalties with minimum payment guarantees if certain operational results are achieved.
Developed by Webzen, Huxley delivers the excitement and rich game-play experience of an MMORPG with a focus on first person shorting ("FPS") features. The game enables players to communicate with each other in a virtual online world, and participate in side battles with the intuitive player vs. player system. Huxley goes beyond the traditional death match FPS game-play by challenging players to adapt new forms of combat to protect the interests of its team, and requires players to strategize and to cooperate to achieve victory. The game also boasts advanced artificial intelligence that rivals other online games. In addition, the characters in Huxley are continuously growing, which is rare in FPS games. Players are able to enhance their own combat styles by obtaining scarce weapons and new skills, which in turn cause players to adopt different game-play styles as they progress.
Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are very pleased that The9 obtained, in addition to Soul of The Ultimate Nation(TM), another exclusive license to operate a high-caliber game from Webzen in mainland China. The FPS style game is one of the key genres of online games. With unique game features and a clear-cut FPS focus, we believe Huxley has much prospects for the Chinese online game market, and will further enhance and diversify The9's game portfolio. The9 and Webzen have established a long-term partnership since we started cooperating in connection with the MU(R) game five years ago. We are confident that The9's operational capabilities, combined with Webzen's expertise as a leading game developer, will result in Huxley's becoming a successful game in mainland 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. In addition, The9 is also working on the development of a 3D fantasy MMORPG game, Fantasy Melody 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
Web: http://www.corp.the9.com/
