The rumors to this effect have been swirling for the last couple of months, and the deal is finally completed: Electronic Arts plans to make about $167 million equity investment in The9...upon closing, EA will own about 15 percent of the Chinese online-game operator. As part of the investment, EA will grant exclusive publishing rights to The9 for its EA Sports FIFA Online product in mainland China. Details in release.
FT: Meanwhile, The9 has decided not to charge players for access to its latest title, Soul of The Ultimate Nation (SUN), instead adopting the “free-to-play” business model pioneered locally by fellow Nasdaq-listed rival Shanda. The surprise move by The9 will add to pressure on Netease.com, which last year became China’s biggest operator of MMORPGs.