The9 Obtains Exclusive License to Operate Hellgate: London(R) in Mainland China

The9 Obtains Exclusive License to Operate Hellgate: London(R) in Mainland China

May 30, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, May 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-/ -- The9
Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY), a leading online game operator in
China, yesterday announced that it has, through its
subsidiary, entered into an agreement with HanbitSoft,
Inc., one of the world leading developer and publisher of
online games, for an exclusive license to operate the
Hellgate: London(R) game, an action role-playing game
("RPG") in mainland China.  The term of the
license is three years from the date of commercial launch
of Hellgate: London(R) in mainland China.  Under the
agreement, The9 has agreed to, among other things, pay a
total of US$5 million in license fees as well as guaranteed
royalties equal to the greater of 21% of the retail value of
the prepaid game cards produced for use or a total of US$30
million over the 3-year license period.

    Hellgate: London(R) is a highly randomized action 3D
game, combining the features of both massively multiplayer
online role playing games ("MMORPG") and first
person shooting ("FPS") games that caters to the
tastes and preferences of many online game players.  It is
the first RPG developed by Flagship Studios, whose key
members are former executives and developers of Blizzard
North(R) and the creators of the globally best-selling
Diablo(R) game series.  Mr. Bill Roper, the "Godfather
of Diablo" and one of the founders of Blizzard
North(R), is the Executive Producer of the Hellgate:
London(R) game. HanbitSoft, Inc. is the authorized
publisher of Hellgate: London(R).  Given the exceptional
reputation and proven track record of the development team
of Hellgate: London(R), this game is highly anticipated by
online game players worldwide.

    Mr. Jun Zhu, The9's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, commented: "We are very pleased that The9
obtained the exclusive license to operate Hellgate:
London(R) in mainland China.  This once again proves that
The9 is the partner
of choice in China for renowned overseas game developers. 
We remain dedicated to our core strategy of offering best
quality games to Chinese gamers.  The addition of Hellgate:
London(R), the franchise product of Flagship Studios, to
The9's game pipeline, will further strengthen and diversify
The9's game portfolio.  We will further leverage our
operating experience and strong market position in China
and will work closely with HanbitSoft and Flagship Studios
to offer the Chinese players the most fantastic game play
experience."

    Mr. Alex Kim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
HanbitSoft, Inc., said: "It is very exciting to join
hands with China's leading game operator The9 to bring
Hellgate: London(R) to the mainland China online game
market.  I truly believe that Hellgate: London(R)'s great
content and quality, together with The9's strong operating
capabilities will eventually lead this game to a huge
success in China.  HanbitSoft, Inc., of course, will
provide our full-scale support."

    Mr. Bill Roper, Chief Executive Officer of Flagship
Studios, added: "Hellgate: London(R) is a dream
project for all of us here at Flagship Studios. We are
pleased to see The9 obtained the exclusive license to
operate the Hellgate: London(R) game in mainland China, as
we have always thought very highly of The9's operational
expertise in China.  We believe that through
close cooperation among Flagship Studios, HanbitSoft, Inc.,
and The9, Hellgate: London(R) will achieve a high level of
operational success in 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 Blizzard Entertainment's
World of Warcraft(R), MU(R) and Mystina Online(R), in
China.  It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate
additional MMORPGs in China, including Granado Espada(R),
Soul of The Ultimate Nation(R), Guild Wars(R), and
Hellgate: London(R).  In addition, The9 has developed its
first proprietary MMORPG titled "Joyful Journey
West", which entered all-access public open beta
testing in August 2005.

    About HanbitSoft, Inc.

    HanbitSoft, Inc. was established in 1999 and its focus
is heading to on fastly increasing online game industry. 
Currently, six competitive online game titles are
introduced to global gamers all over the world, and four
more
potentially big hits are on their ways.  In the meantime,
HanbitSoft is continuously investing on prominent games
under development process in an effort to leverage the game
industry in general, which includes: developing MMOG through
in-house studio, investing potential Korean and oversea
studios such as IMC GAMES, FLAGSHIP STUDIOS, and STUDIO
MARS.  And as a global publisher, publishing various genre
of MMOG such as: Granado Espada, Neo Steam, Neo Baseball,
Hellgate: London, Tantra, PangYa, Survival Project and WYD.
 HanbitSoft is moving forward to become a global leading
entertainment corporation with distinguished publishing as
well as marketing capacity.

    About Flagship Studios

    Flagship Studios is a creator of innovative
entertainment software, designing games that focus on ease
of play, replayablility and fun.  The studio was formed in
2003 by former executives and developers from Blizzard
North(R) and represents the creators of the worldwide,
best-selling Diablo(R) franchise.  With members that are
renowned within the gaming industry, Flagship Studios
embodies a team that has worked together for over a decade
and have numerous #1-selling games and multiple Game of the
Year awards to their credit.  For more information about
Flagship Studios, log onto
http://www.flagshipstudios.com .

    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 and information disseminated over
the Internet in China, intensified government regulation of
online game operators and Internet cafes in China, 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 registration statement on Form
F-1, as amended, and 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]
     Website: http://www.corp.the9.com

SOURCE  The9 Limited