The Lord of the Rings Online Headed to China
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CDC Games Expects the Highly Anticipated Launch of The Lord of the Rings Onlineâ„¢ in the Second Half of 2009
ATLANTA & SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CDC Games, a business unit of CDC Corporation (NASDAQ: CHINA) and a pioneer of the (free-to-play, pay for merchandise) model for online games in China, announced today that it expects to launch The Lord of the Rings Online in China during the second half of 2009. The Lord of the Rings Online is currently offered in North America, Europe, Russia and South Korea and has received rave reviews from leading PC and online games publications around the world including being named Game of the Year in 2007* and 2008**.
CDC Games holds the exclusive distribution rights in China for The Lord of the Rings Online which is the only massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings Online is developed by North American-based Turbine, Inc., a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities.
The China-based version is expected to have significant changes from the version launched in North America and Europe. With its registered user base of more than 160 million users and 13 million active users in China, CDC Games believes it has extensive knowledge of the China market. Additionally, based upon research into local customer preferences, CDC Games has coordinated with Turbine to add several changes to the game, including an enhanced player versus player function, that it believes will make the game more successful in China.
Furthermore, CDC Games has obtained encouraging preliminary test data on the game so far, with an activation rate of more than 80 percent during its closed beta test held earlier this year.
(We are very excited about the anticipated launch of The Lord of the Rings Online in China,) said James Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. (With CDC Games' expertise in the online game market in China and its first class marketing, online game gaming platform and support operations, we are confident of the long-term success of this game."
"CDC Games and Turbine have been strong and trusted partners through the process of localizing the game and adding major new content to appeal to the distinctive China market,) said Monish Bahl, CFO of CDC Games. (We feel the estimated timing of this launch is a good opportunity in light of the current competitive environment in China, especially with the recent situation of certain popular foreign titles of this genre. The closed beta test results for the game also are very encouraging evidence of the potential this game holds in the China market and we look forward to a commercial launch in the near future.
The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate interactive adventure. Gamers can join Gandalf, Frodo, Bilbo and many other characters to save Middle-earth in the war against the Dark Lord Sauron. This award-winning MMORPG delivers an interactive experience brimming with stunning detail and dedication to the lore of one of the most famous fantasy worlds.
About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine has grown to become one of the largest privately-held online gaming studios in North America. Turbine has created some of the world's most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Stormreach™, and Asheron's Call®. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works, including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien's works for more than 30 years. With headquarters in Berkeley, California, its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
About CDC Corporation
The CDC family of companies includes CDC Software focused on enterprise software applications and services, CDC Global Services focused on IT consulting services, outsourced application development and IT staffing, CDC Games focused on online games, and China.com focused on portals for the greater China markets. For more information about CDC Corporation (NASDAQ: CHINA), please visit www.cdccorporation.net.
About CDC Games
CDC Games is a market leader in online and mobile games in China with more than 160 million registered users. The company pioneered the "free-to-play, pay-for-merchandise" online games model in China with Yulgang and launched the first free-to-play, pay for merchandise FPS (first person shooter) game in China with Special Force. Currently, CDC Games offers six popular MMO online games in China that include: Digimon RPG, Special Force, Yulgang, Shaiya, Lunia, and Eve Online. For more information on CDC Games, visit: www.cdcgames.net.
