A subsidiary for Chinese game operator The9 (NCTY) has entered into an agreement with game publisher Gravity for an exclusive license to operate Ragnarok Online 2, a massively multiplayer online role playing game in mainland China.
The term of the license is for four years from the date of commercial launch of the game in mainland China. In addition, The9 also entered into an agreement for an exclusive license from Gravity to operate the Emil Chronicle Online, also an MMORPG, in mainland China for a period of three years from the commercial launch of the game.
Ragnarok Online 2, subtitled "Epic of the Light", is the original sequel of Ragnarok Online, a cartoon style 3D MMORPG. Currently, Ragnarok Online 2 is in initial closed beta test in Korea and, as of January 8, 2007, was voted as the most anticipated Korean game by Chinese gamers on 17173.com, one of the largest games information portal in China.
Emil Chronicle Online is a cartoon-style 2.5D MMORPG that was commercially launched in Japan, with the most recent upgrade introduced in early December 2006.
Il Young Ryu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gravity, said, "We are very pleased to have The9 as our exclusive partner for Ragnarok Online 2 and Emil Chronicle Online in China."