Wow… Ultima.. I remember that from waaayyy back when in my Commodore days…
Electronic Arts Inc. and NetDragon Websoft Inc., a leading game developer and operator in China (“NetDragon”, with its subsidiaries collectively know as the “Group”; Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), today announced a licensing agreement for the development of a new massively multi-player online role playing game (MMORPG) based on “Ultima Online”(TM) from Electronic Arts. As part of the agreement, NetDragon will develop the new Ultima Online(TM) in collaboration with EA’s Mythic Entertainment, and have the exclusive operating license for China, Hong Kong, Macau and India.
“We are delighted to further our relationship with EA through the development of Ultima Online(TM),” said Mr. Liu Dejian, Chairman and Executive Director of NetDragon. “Capitalizing on our ability to create a strong online gaming experience, we are confident that Ultima Online(TM) will be a success in China and will also achieve remarkable results in the other markets where we’ll operate the game.”
Jon Niermann, President of EA Asia said, “Ultima Online(TM) is a well known EA property and we’re delighted to bring the game to fans in China, Hong Kong, Macau and India. NetDragon is a proven partner and we’re confident in their expertise to build and operate a great gaming experience for players”.
Rob Denton, General Manager and Vice President of Mythic Entertainment added, “We’re thrilled to be able to work with NetDragon to bring the pioneering Ultima Online to a new audience in these exciting markets.”
About NetDragon:
NetDragon Websoft Inc. is one of the leading online game developers and operators in the PRC. The Group’s game portfolio comprises a range of MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) that cater to various types of players and gaming preferences. The Group has successfully developed and marketed many popular online titles of various styles. Its current offerings include the games Way of the Five, Eudemons Online, Conquer Online, Zero Online, Tou Ming Zhuang Online and Heroes of Might and Magic Online. Some of the games are also available in foreign languages, including English, French and Spanish. The Group also has four games currently in development, including Tian Yuan, Disney Fantasy Online, Dungeon Keeper(TM) Online and CJ7 Online, which are expected to be launched from 2009.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA(TM), EA SPORTS(TM), EA Mobile(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com/ . More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/ .