The9 Limited Obtains Exclusive License to Operate Audition 2 in Mainland China

The9 Limited Obtains Exclusive License to Operate Audition 2 in Mainland China

May 21, 2007

    SHANGHAI, China, May 21 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The9
Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY)("The9"), a leading online
game operator in China, announced today that it has,
through a wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an
agreement with G10 Entertainment Korea Corp
("G10"), an online game developer in Korea, for
an exclusive license to operate Audition 2, an advanced
casual dancing online game, in mainland China.  The term of
the license is for three years from the commercial launch
date of the game in mainland China.  The9 also has the
exclusive right of first refusal to the license for
Audition 3 and two other latest-developed developed online
games owned or distributed by G10.
    Audition 2 is the sequel to Audition, a 3D leisure
dancing online competition game with rich music elements. 
The Audition series are session-based casual games enabling
players to compete against each other for their game
characters' dancing skills during the length of a certain
song as well as showing-off their virtual appearance and
accessories.  Apart from the enjoyment aspect of game-play
itself, socialization and identity comprise a major part of
the games.  Audition, which has been in operation for more
than two years in mainland China, currently enjoys a high
popularity with over 780,000 peak concurrent users,
according to a news release by the game's China operator.
Audition 2, with a lot of enhanced features and more
community-oriented functions, is also expected to be
popular in the mainland China market.  
    Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, commented: "We are very excited that The9
obtained the exclusive license to operate Audition 2 in
mainland China.  We believe this exclusive operation
license once again demonstrates The9's position as the
"Partner of Choice" in China for renowned
overseas game developers, and together with EA SPORTS FIFA
Online, greatly enhances our casual game portfolio and
further diversifies our overall game pipeline.  Going
forward, we intend to continuously introduce additional
high-quality games to China and we are confident that we
are well-positioned to take advantage of the rapidly
growing Chinese online game market."
    Mr. Kee Young Kim, G10's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, said: "We are very pleased to have The9 as
our exclusive partner for Audition 2 in mainland China. 
With a proven track record and impressive operational
capabilities, we are highly confident that The9 will lead
this game to be a success in China. We intend to launch the
game for beta testing in Korea in the second half of 2007
and anticipate China's launch will follow soon afterwards.
We will work closely with The9 and provide our seamless
support to bring a fantastic gaming experience of Audition
2 to millions of fashionable Chinese online gamers."

    About The9 Limited
    The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in
China.  The9's business is primarily focused on operating
and developing high-quality games for the Chinese online
game players market.  The9 directly or through affiliates
operates licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU(R), Blizzard
Entertainment(R)'s World of Warcraft(R), Soul of The
Ultimate NationTM, and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful
Journey West(TM), in mainland China.  It has also obtained
exclusive licenses to operate additional MMORPGs and
advanced casual games in mainland China, including Granado
Espada, Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2,
Emil Chronicle Online, Huxley, FIFA Online and Audition 2. 
In addition, The9 is also working on the development of a 3D
fantasy MMORPG game, Fantastic 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:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]
     Web:   http://www.corp.the9.com