The9
Encyclopedia
The9 Limited corporation
is a Shanghai
-based online game
operator which had the exclusive license to operate and distribute World of Warcraft
in China
(launched in June 2005, it has since become the largest online game), a license they secured after successfully aiding Webzen Games
in distributing Mu Online
in China. However, in April of 2009, Blizzard has said that the licence has been moved to NetEase.com.
Its name is derived from a belief that MMORPG
s, and online gaming in general, is the "ninth art" (the other eight being the traditional ones of painting
, sculpture
, architecture
, etc.)
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
is a Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
-based online game
Online game
An online game is a game played over some form of computer network. This almost always means the Internet or equivalent technology, but games have always used whatever technology was current: modems before the Internet, and hard wired terminals before modems...
operator which had the exclusive license to operate and distribute World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(launched in June 2005, it has since become the largest online game), a license they secured after successfully aiding Webzen Games
Webzen Games
Webzen Inc. or Webzen is a video game publisher and video game developer based in South Korea. The company, together with its subsidiaries, also engages in software licensing and related services in other Asian countries. Their two most popular games are Mu Online and SUN...
in distributing Mu Online
Mu Online
MU Online is a 3D medieval fantasy MMORPG, produced by Webzen, a Korean gaming company.-Gameplay:MU Online was created back in December 2001 by the Korean gaming company Webzen. Like in most MMORPGs, players have to create a character among five different classes and to set their foot on the MU...
in China. However, in April of 2009, Blizzard has said that the licence has been moved to NetEase.com.
Its name is derived from a belief that MMORPG
MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
s, and online gaming in general, is the "ninth art" (the other eight being the traditional ones of painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
, architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, etc.)
Current game licenses acquired
Note: In rough order of release.- Mu OnlineMu OnlineMU Online is a 3D medieval fantasy MMORPG, produced by Webzen, a Korean gaming company.-Gameplay:MU Online was created back in December 2001 by the Korean gaming company Webzen. Like in most MMORPGs, players have to create a character among five different classes and to set their foot on the MU...
(the partnership has ended) - World of WarcraftWorld of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
(the partnership has ended) - Joyful Journey West
- Guild WarsGuild WarsGuild Wars is an episodic series of online 3D fantasy role-playing games developed by ArenaNet and published by NCsoft. Although often defined as an MMORPG the developers define it as a CORPG due to significant differences from the MMORPG genre. It provides two main modes of gameplay—a cooperative...
(Chinese version) (The deal with NCsoft ended prematurely.March 31, 2008) - Soul of the Ultimate NationSoul of the Ultimate NationSoul of the Ultimate Nation is a fantasy-based massive multiplayer online role-playing game produced by Webzen, a Korean-based company. It is operated in Korea by WebZen and in mainland China by The9...
- Granado EspadaGranado Espada*Granado Espada, also known as Sword of the New World: Granado Espada in North America , is a Korean fantasy MMORPG developed by IMC Games Co.,Ltd., and published in North America by K2 Network. It was launched in the summer of 2007...
- Hellgate: LondonHellgate: LondonHellgate: London is a dark fantasy themed action role-playing game originally developed by Flagship Studios, released on October 31, 2007. It was developed by a team headed by former Blizzard Entertainment employees, some of whom had overseen the creation of the Diablo series...
- Huxley
- Ragnarok Online 2
- FIFA Online 2FIFA Online 2FIFA Online 2 is a free to play downloadable massively multiplayer online football game jointly developed by EA Singapore and Neowiz Games, published by Electronic Arts and is distributed and localized by numerous distributors around Asia...
- Atlantica OnlineAtlantica OnlineAtlantica Online is a free to play 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by NDOORS Corporation. The game is set in an alternate history Earth, with the game map consisting of large parts of the northern hemisphere...
- Free RealmsFree RealmsFree Realms is a massively multiplayer online role playing video game developed by Sony Online Entertainment set in a fantasy-themed world, named Sacred Grove for the PC, Mac and PlayStation 3. The game was released on April 29, 2009, for the Windows PC...
- Planetside Next
- FireFallFirefallFirefall is a rock band that formed in Boulder, Colorado in 1974. It was founded by Rick Roberts, who had been in the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Jock Bartley, who had been Tommy Bolin's replacement in Zephyr. The band's biggest hit single, "You Are the Woman", peaked at #9 on the Billboard charts...