EA invests in The9
Electronic Arts has acquired a stake in Chinese publisher The9, Gamasutra reports. The US-based publishing powerhouse will have 15% of the The9's common stock, which amounts to US $167 million. The two companies also announced a licensing agreement that makes The9 the sole publisher of FIFA Online in mainland China.EA had previously half-denied reports of an investment, saying that at the time there was "no signed agreement with The9." Rumors of an investment date back to at least September 2006. EA Asia Online president Hubert Larenaudie stated that he believes this is "another significant step" in building EA's presence in Asia.
It is unclear how this arrangement might affect The9's relationship with EA rival Vivendi, who licenses the massively popular World of Warcraft to the publisher.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wackychan @ May 21st 2007 4:05PM
EA, you stink!
JodyAnthony @ May 21st 2007 4:12PM
the 9 makes me think of heroes, and heroes is outstanding. thus I support ea here.
Roflgoat @ May 21st 2007 4:38PM
I remember reading this about a month ago. But still, it's Joystiq, so you guys make up for it.
hvnlysoldr @ May 21st 2007 5:29PM
That article a month ago was the rumor of the deal. To which EA commented that no deal had been signed at the time. It was rumored EA was buying 19% share but now has bought 15%, perhaps because of the leak.