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( BW)(CA-ELECTRONIC-ARTS)(ERTS)(NCTY) EA and The9 Announce Equity Investment and Exclusive Publishing Agreement for EA SPORTS FIFA Online in Mainland China Strategic Partnership With The9 to Expand EA's Offering in China's Online Gaming Market Business Editors/Entertainment Editors SHANGHAI, China & REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2007--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), the world's leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced an equity investment in one of China's largest online game operators, The9 Limited (NASDAQ:NCTY) ("The9"). The two companies also announced a licensing agreement that gives The9 exclusive publishing rights for EA SPORTS FIFA Online in mainland China. Upon completion of the equity investment, EA will own approximately 15 percent of the common shares of The9. The investment is roughly US$167 million. The agreement builds on EA's strategy of partnering with proven regional operators to bring online games to Asia, and The9's strategy of expanding its game product offerings in the Chinese market. EA SPORTS FIFA is EA's leading international sports franchise and is seeing early online success in Asia. Last year, EA and Seoul-based Neowiz partnered to launch EA SPORTS FIFA Online in Korea, now one of Korea's most popular games, consistently ranked among top performers with more than 4.4 million registered subscribers. The9 has exclusive publishing rights for the game in mainland China. "EA will be a strong partner for us in the rapidly expanding online game market in China," said Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The9. "We are seeing strong interest in online sports games in China with the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and FIFA Online is set to be a top favorite in the Chinese market." Hubert Larenaudie, President, EA Asia Online, said, "This is another significant step in EA's strategy to build an online presence in Asia. The9's proven expertise will be a tremendous advantage in bringing FIFA Online to a growing market and we look forward to partnering with them to bring the best online football gaming experience to millions of Chinese gamers and football fans." About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2007, EA posted revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com . More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at . EA SPORTS FIFA Online is manufactured under license by Electronic Arts. 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 Nation(TM), 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 China, including Granado Espada, Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil Chronicle Online, Huxley, and FIFA Online. In addition, The9 is also working on the development of a 3D fantasy MMORPG game, Fantastic Melody Online(TM). Safe Harbor For Forward-Looking Statements Some statements set forth in this release, including those regarding EA's investment in, and its publishing agreement with, The9, growth in the online games market in Asia, and the expected impact of the investment and agreements on EA's strategic and operational plans and financial results, contain forward-looking statements that are subject to change. Statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate" or "expect" and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or actual future results to differ materially from the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors which could cause results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements include the following: the satisfaction of customary closing conditions; the possibility that the investment and/or publishing agreement will not be consummated or that the consummation may be delayed; the effect of the announcement of the investment and agreements on EA's and The9's strategic relationships, operating results and business generally, including the ability to retain key employees; 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 in China; The9's ability to retain existing players and attract new players, anticipate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and respond to competitive market conditions; general economic conditions; and other factors described in EA's SEC filings (including EA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006 and Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006). If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, the investment and/or publishing agreement may not be consummated or may not be consummated on the anticipated terms, the potential benefits of the investment and agreement may not be realized, EA's operating results and financial performance could suffer, and actual results could differ materially from the expectations described in these forward-looking statements. EA assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this press release. 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. CONTACT: EA Corporate Jeff Brown, +1-650-628-7922 jbrown@ea.com or EA International Tiffany Steckler, +4122 316 1322 tsteckler@europe.ea.com or EA Investor Relations Tricia Gugler, +1-650-628-7327 tgugler@ea.com or The9 Investor Relations Dahlia Wei, +86 21 5172 9990 IR@corp.the9.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA CHINA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA INTERNET E-COMMERCE SPORTS PRODUCT MERGERS/ACQ MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2007 (1350)