Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FIFA Online 2 unplugging in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/fifa-online-2-unplugging-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/fifa-online-2-unplugging-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/fifa-online-2-unplugging-in-china/#comments In a brief announcement this morning from Shanghai, The9 revealed plans to disband operations of EA Sports FIFA Online 2 in China. The publisher is doing so via mutual agreement with FIFA Online 2's developer, Electronic Arts, saying the "license and commercial operation" of the game will end sometime in the "second calendar quarter of 2011."

No reasons were cited for the game's premature termination, though this isn't the first American company to end its contract with The9 early. Blizzard ended its relationship with The9 back in 2009, giving Chinese operating rights for World of Warcraft to competitor NetEase. Unlike that situation, however, it stands to reason that The9 won't suffer catastrophic losses this time around.

JoystiqFIFA Online 2 unplugging in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaeaea-sportsea-sports-fifa-online-2electronic-artsmacpcthe9Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[OpenFeint coming to Android phones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/openfeint-coming-to-android-phones/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/openfeint-coming-to-android-phones/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/openfeint-coming-to-android-phones/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to Slide to Play, Aurora Feint has announced plans to bring its OpenFeint platform to Android devices. The platform made its name by creating an online social hub for iPhone gamers, allowing them to send instant messages, find other players and even find games (though it will soon face competition from Apple's own Game Center). The service will begin supporting Android later this summer, with Hudson Entertainment, Glu Mobile and Digital Chocolate all planning to support the launch.

Furthermore, Aurora Feint has announced that it has received a new capital investment from The9, a firm known primarily for operating several MMO products in China.

JoystiqOpenFeint coming to Android phones originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidAurora-FeintmobileOpenFeintThe9Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The9 invests nearly $15 million into Red 5 Studios, Fire Rain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the9-invests-nearly-15-million-into-red-5-studios-fire-rain/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the9-invests-nearly-15-million-into-red-5-studios-fire-rain/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/the9-invests-nearly-15-million-into-red-5-studios-fire-rain/#comments The9 didn't have the best year in 2009 -- Blizzard decided to take away its ability to run World of Warcraft in China, and as a result, the company reported a Cataclysmic drop in revenues. But the company doesn't want you counting it out of the MMO game just yet: Reuters says that The9 has invested almost $15 million into the ailing Red 5 Studios (which, coincidentally, is staffed by some ex-Blizzard employees) as well as China-based developer Fire Rain. Last we'd heard of Red 5, it was working on some kind of fantasy MMO, though that may have since changed to an MMOFPS. There's definitely an MMO game of some kind; The studio told our buds at Massively that even with The9's help, the game will be aimed at a worldwide market, not just Chinese players.

Time will tell if The9 has a solid strategy to rebound after the big loss of WoW, or if it's desperately trying to invest the last bit of capital to keep the company alive. Red 5's work has always seemed interesting -- here's hoping this infusion is enough to get it to a worthwhile release.

JoystiqThe9 invests nearly $15 million into Red 5 Studios, Fire Rain originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardchinadevelopersfantasyfire-rainfundingmmommofpsmoneyred-5-studiosthe9Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The9 posts 94 percent drop in Q3 revenues after losing WoW]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/the9-posts-94-percent-drop-in-q3-revenues-after-losing-wow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/the9-posts-94-percent-drop-in-q3-revenues-after-losing-wow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/27/the9-posts-94-percent-drop-in-q3-revenues-after-losing-wow/#comments Mother of pearl! We thought it was safe to assume that Shanghai-based MMO operator The9 would lose a chunk of its revenue after handing the license for World of Warcraft over to competing company NetEase. By "a chunk" we, of course, meant "a fraction." Not "almost all revenue," which according to the company's Q3 2009 financial report, is how much it lost year-over-year after passing off the rights to run WoW.

To put it numerically, The9's revenues dropped 94 percent from the same quarter last year. A hit that big must have left a sizable dent in the ol' pocketbook -- however, we're guessing the company's board members take some small, spiteful satisfaction from the tribulations the game has brought to its new operators.

JoystiqThe9 posts 94 percent drop in Q3 revenues after losing WoW originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardchinammommorpgneteaserevenuethe9world-of-warcraftwowFri, 27 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NetEase snags the reigns of World of Warcraft in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/18/netease-snags-the-reigns-of-world-of-warcraft-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/18/netease-snags-the-reigns-of-world-of-warcraft-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/18/netease-snags-the-reigns-of-world-of-warcraft-in-china/#comments
As rumor has it, Chinese internet company NetEase has a totally huge crush on Blizzard. It made its first clear attempt at courtship last August by snatching up the rights to operate Battle.net in China, but a recent press release from Blizzard revealed the company's biggest, Say Anything-esque display of affection to date -- NetEase will be taking over operating duties for World of Warcraft when current operator The9's contract expires June 8.

Of course, if NetEase wanted to win over the hearts of the Chinese MMO-playing population, they'd push for the release of Wrath of the Lich King, which still hasn't dropped in the region. Chinese news site DoNews reports that NetEase has licensed Wrath, though they haven't made any formal announcements regarding its release.

[Via Massively]

JoystiqNetEase snags the reigns of World of Warcraft in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardchinammoneteaseoperatorthe9world-of-warcraftwrath-of-the-lich-kingSat, 18 Apr 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese government says no to Wrath of the Lich King]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/chinese-government-says-no-to-wrath-of-the-lich-king/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/chinese-government-says-no-to-wrath-of-the-lich-king/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/chinese-government-says-no-to-wrath-of-the-lich-king/#comments
Seriously, who doesn't like skeletons? Well, the Chinese government, as it's citing "skeleton characters" and a "city raid" as two primary reasons for the million World of Warcraft players in China still not receiving Blizzard's latest expansion.

JLM Pacific Epoch reports the Chinese government "has rejected two applications by the second expansion for World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King since China's Spring Festival (January 25 - February 1)." Considering Blizzard has removed "skeleton characters" from WoW in the past and the supposedly gold farmer-free million plus player count for WoW in China, we're willing to bet Blizzard (and its licensing partner in China, The9) will find a way to release Wrath of the Lich King yet.

But seriously China, what's your deal with skeletons?

[Via Massively]

JoystiqChinese government says no to Wrath of the Lich King originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardchinachinese-governmentcity-raidsmassivelypcthe9world-of-warcraftwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 11 Mar 2009 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW achieves a million concurrent connections in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/wow-achieves-a-million-concurrent-connections-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/wow-achieves-a-million-concurrent-connections-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/14/wow-achieves-a-million-concurrent-connections-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


World of Warcraft's Chinese overlords, The9, announced the game hit the epic (but not legendary) feat of having over one million concurrent connections. According to The9 it breaks the concurrency records set by the game's launch in China on September 6, 2007.

Instinctively, the finger for this record-breaking concurrency is pointed at Chinese gold farmers, but apparently those players are on the North American and European servers and wouldn't be counted in The9's tally. The milestone isn't too shabby for a game that's allegedly peaked.

[Via Massively, Ancient Gaming Noob]

JoystiqWoW achieves a million concurrent connections in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzard-entertainmentMacPCthe9worldofwarcraftwowMon, 14 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA invests in The9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/ea-invests-in-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/ea-invests-in-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/ea-invests-in-the9/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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.

JoystiqEA invests in The9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2007 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachinaeaelectronic artsElectronic-ArtsElectronicArtsfifafifa onlineFifaOnlinekoreasoccersouth koreaSouthKoreathe 9The9vivendiworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 21 May 2007 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[EA denies reported investment in The9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/ea-denies-reported-investment-in-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/ea-denies-reported-investment-in-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/ea-denies-reported-investment-in-the9/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to official newspaper Shanghai Securities News this weekend, Electronic Arts was said to have reached a deal with Chinese MMO provider The9 to purchase a 19% stake in the company for about US $200 million. The newspaper cites unnamed sources and say that the two companies had reached a basic agreement but makes no mention of whether or not the deal has been finalized.

EA spokesman Jeff Brown has told Reuters that "there is no signed agreement with The9," while declining to elaborate further. However, having no signed agreement currently does not mean that the company is not in the process of working toward the outlined deal. Could the report be wrong or is EA playing coy? We'll just have to wait and see.

The9 has the rights to operate World of Warcraft, Guild Wars and Hellgate: London to China. The paper also reported a deal that would allow The9 to run EA's FIFA Online in China. Such an agreement has been rumored since EA named Hubert Larenaudie, with strong ties to The9, as president of EA Asia.

See also:
Joystiq interview: Hoyt Ma, The9

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqEA denies reported investment in The9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardeaElectronic-ArtsshanghaiThe9Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[PepsiCo to sponsor Guild Wars in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/pepsico-to-sponsor-guild-wars-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/pepsico-to-sponsor-guild-wars-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/pepsico-to-sponsor-guild-wars-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

PepsiCo to sponsor Guild Wars in ChinaThe cola wars took an interesting turn today, and Chinese online gaming host The9 showed they have flexible loyalties when it comes to carbonated beverages. The Shanghai-based developer successfully partnered with Coca-Cola (and pop group S.H.E.) in 2005 to promote the launch of World of Warcraft, and now PepsiCo wants a piece of China's MMO action.

As part of a new marketing agreement, Pepsi and The9 will co-sponsor a national Guild Wars tournament and pimp over 10,000 Internet Cafes using decor based on NCsoft's popular fantasy setting. Cafe chaperones will now have to work twice as hard to keep sticky soft drinks away from the PCs. Beta testing for Guild Wars China begins in two days.

JoystiqPepsiCo to sponsor Guild Wars in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetchina gamingchinese gamerscola warscompetitive gamingGuild Warsmmommorpgncsoftonline gamingPCpepsiPepsiCothe9tyriaMon, 27 Nov 2006 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars beta testing to begin in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/20/guild-wars-beta-testing-to-begin-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/20/guild-wars-beta-testing-to-begin-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/20/guild-wars-beta-testing-to-begin-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars beta testing to begin in ChinaAs if Chinese gamers didn't have enough online gaming to occupy their leisure (and work) time, The9 has announced Guild Wars China will begin closed beta testing on Nov. 29. One of the most anticipated games on the mainland, Guild Wars attracted 200,000 applicants on the first day of beta registration last week. Maybe an aspiring Chinese clan will unseat South Korea's reigning Guild Wars champs The Last Pride at the next world tournament.

The9 also hosts World of Warcraft and Webzen's Soul of the Ultimate Nation, but it is unknown if the Shanghai-based developer's Guild Wars deal with NCsoft also includes the Factions and Nightfall expansions.

See also: Nightfall world premiere sets Guild Wars record

JoystiqGuild Wars beta testing to begin in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbeta testingchina gamingchinese gamersclosed betafactionsGuild WarsGuild Wars ChinammommorpgNCsoftnightfallPCpropheciesthe last prideThe9Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shaiya, Guild Wars most anticipated in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/shaiya-guild-wars-most-anticipated-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/shaiya-guild-wars-most-anticipated-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/06/shaiya-guild-wars-most-anticipated-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Shaiya, Guild Wars most anticipated in ChinaAccording to new research from Chinese gaming portal 17173.com, Guangdong-based distributor Optisp (EVE Online) is home to the most anticipated online game in China, the Korean import Shaiya: Light and Darkness. WoW distributor The9 is hosting two of China's other highly anticipated Korean titles, Guild Wars and Soul of the Ultimate Nation.

The fever over Shaiya is reportedly due to some racy ads that prompted Chinese censors to request less suggestive promos. I'm sure the two half-naked women prominently featured in the game's propaganda had nothing to do with that. 17173 has collected some in-game screen shots and wallpapers of Shaiya's physical embodiments of "light" and "darkness" (can you guess who's who?).

See also: China online gaming trends

JoystiqShaiya, Guild Wars most anticipated in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china gamingchinese gamersGuild WarsLight and DarknessmmommorpgncsoftPCShaiyaSoul of the Ultimate Nationthe9webzenMon, 06 Nov 2006 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[EA names new president of Asian operations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/ea-names-new-president-of-asian-operations/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/ea-names-new-president-of-asian-operations/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/25/ea-names-new-president-of-asian-operations/#commentsFiled under: ,

EA names new Asian presidentElectronic Arts has tapped former Vivendi Universal executive Hubert Larenaudie to be the new president of EA Asia. Larenaudie became the president of VU Games' Asia Pacific operations two years ago, and it's rumored that the strong ties he developed with The9 during that time will result in the Chinese publisher licensing EA's popular FIFA series.

See also:

JoystiqEA names new president of Asian operations originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea Asiaea bigea gamesea sportsElectronic ArtsHubert Larenaudiethe9Vivendi UniversalVU GamesMon, 25 Sep 2006 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SUN is most anticipated game in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/sun-is-most-anticipated-game-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/sun-is-most-anticipated-game-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/sun-is-most-anticipated-game-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Webzen's Soul of the Ultimate NationAccording to the latest poll from Chinese gaming site, 17173.com, Korean developer Webzen's Soul of the Ultimate Nation is the most anticipated game in China. Other titles in the top ten include Guild Wars and Granado Espada (both will be operated by WoW host The9), as well as Kingdom of Warriors, Ragnarok Online 2, and Rohan.

Analysts are predicting China's online gaming market will approach $1 billion in annual revenue within the next year, surpassing Korea. In response to this gaming boom, major publishers such as Electronic Arts, NCsoft, Take-Two, and Ubisoft have opened development offices in Shanghai. Webzen is currently putting the finishing touches on MMO-shooter Huxley for the North American market, but has also opened an office in Shanghai to produce Kingdom of Warriors.

See also: Disney, Shanda bring online content to China
 

JoystiqSUN is most anticipated game in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>granado espadaguild warskingdom of warriorsmmommorpgPCragnarokrohansoul of the ultimate nationthe9webzenWed, 07 Jun 2006 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars China to be operated by The9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/guild-wars-china-to-be-operated-by-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/guild-wars-china-to-be-operated-by-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/17/guild-wars-china-to-be-operated-by-the9/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Guild Wars China
Chinese online gaming powerhouse The9 can now add Guild Wars to its growing catalog of MMO offerings. Already the World of Warcraft host in China, The9 has reached an agreement with NCsoft to operate Guild Wars for three years on the mainland, although it doesn't specifically state if this includes the Guild Wars sequel, Factions. The9 also hosts Webzen's popular MU and will begin operating the Korean developer's Soul of the Ultimate Nation in Q4 of this year.

[Thanks, billsdue]

JoystiqGuild Wars China to be operated by The9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 22:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>china gamingchinese gamingguild warsPCthe9Mon, 17 Apr 2006 22:05:00 EST<![CDATA[China threatens mass boycott of WoW]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/06/china-threatens-mass-boycott-of-wow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/06/china-threatens-mass-boycott-of-wow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/06/china-threatens-mass-boycott-of-wow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Greg Baker / APUnstable servers have prompted Chinese World of Warcraft players to take action. Game unions have threatened to quit playing WoW, as players continue to post their complaints on Internet forums and make personal calls to fellow members to join the cause.

In China, WoW's servers are maintained by The9, which charges gamers by the hour to play WoW. The9 is incapable of solving technical issues related to the game without Blizzard's help, but is currently investigating the server issues. Gamers have cited "severe time delays, long-queue times, and frozen servers" as the primary causes of concern. In the fourth quarter of 2005, WoW's concurrent user count in China peaked at 530,000 players.

JoystiqChina threatens mass boycott of WoW originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Mar 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardChinaMMORPGserverThe9World of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWMon, 06 Mar 2006 12:30:00 EST