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EA To Invest In China's MMOG Firm The9

Posted by Zonk on from the plot-thickens-as-they-say dept.

Gamasutra is reporting on announced plans from EA to invest in The9, the Massive firm that currently runs World of Warcraft in the Chinese market (among several other properties). EA Mythic recently announced they would be sending Warhammer Online into Asia, and one could easily imagine The9 being an instrumental part of that endeavor. The WoW angle is another wrinkle to keep in mind, as well: "Shanghai-based MMO executive Bill Bishop points out in some detailed analysis on his weblog: 'EA and Vivendi Universal Games (owners of Blizzard, developer of World of Warcraft) are direct competitors. Perhaps the Blizzard-The9 contract does not have any protection for Vivendi in the event that a competitor takes a significant stake in The9, but that would be surprising.'"

8 comments

  1. There is no deal yet by rfunches · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20070409-70657 6.html?mod=wsjcrmain (subscription only)

    EA reps say there is no deal in place: "The9 Ltd. (NCTY) saw its share price jump as much as 17% to a record high Monday on a report of a $200 million investment deal with Electronic Arts Inc. (ERTS), although EA later denied reports that it has signed such a deal with the Chinese game site....A spokesman for EA denied the two companies have signed any deal, but declined to comment on whether they were discussing such a relationship."

  2. Yes, let them destroy another MMO by darkrowan · · Score: 0, Troll

    No, I'm not still bitter about EnB. No, I have not bought a product from the company since they closed EnB down. I hope they choke on the next Sims expansion (they get a new one like, what, every 2 weeks?)

    --
    AccountKiller
    1. Re:Yes, let them destroy another MMO by superpulpsicle · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Why mark this person a troll? I too have not purchased a EA game since the NFL licenses. EA is going to choke warcraft from the bottom up. What else is new? Can corporations get any more evil.

    2. Re:Yes, let them destroy another MMO by AHumbleOpinion · · Score: 3, Insightful

      EA is going to choke warcraft from the bottom up.

      TFA says that (1) EA is only purchasing 19% of The9 and (2) 99% of The9's revenue comes from WoW. EA can't screw with WoW, the other 81% of the owners won't let them. EA is just trying to get a foothold in China. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to get into the Chinese market if you are 100% foreign owned. A domestic partner is necessary.

  3. Why is this necssary? by bluemonq · · Score: 1

    Does EA think The9 would screw over EA's Warhammer MMO in favor of WoW if they just had a contract deal?

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