Success of Award-Winning First Title Rift™ Drives Accelerated Growth in Global Markets
REDWOOD SHORES, CA – Feb. 9, 2012 – Trion Worlds, the leading publisher and developer of premium games for the connected era, has entered into an exclusive agreement with Shanda Games, a top Chinese Internet company, to release the award-winning title, Rift™ in China later
this year. One of the biggest licensing deals in China ever, the agreement will be the largest agreement to bring a new Western game to China. The broad-scope partnership will grant Shanda the exclusive license of Rift localized in Chinese/Mandarin, and set a new bar for Western-developed games provided in the East.
“Our partnership with Shanda is a huge step for Western premium games in China and we are proud Trion is at the forefront, setting the standard once again,” Lars Buttler, Founder and CEO, Trion Worlds, said. “The appetite for new great original game experiences like Rift, that disrupt the existing paradigm of traditional gaming, is universal. Shanda, with proven track record of localizing and delivering content, is the best partner for Trion to offer gamers in mainland China an authentic Rift experience.”
Trion’s accelerated expansion to Asia follows the unparalleled success of Rift since
launching last March. As recently reported, the company saw more than a million active accounts in just four months and North American and European revenues of more than $100 million. Rift’s swift success proves gamers are embracing original, high-quality new properties and rich, dynamic game experiences built from the ground up for the new generation of online gaming.
“We are delighted to bring Rift, Trion Worlds’ much-acclaimed award-winning title, to China,” said Mr. Alan Tan, Chairman and CEO of Shanda Games. “Rift offers an adventurous online world with fantastic dynamic content and stunning graphics and has attracted many devoted fans worldwide. Based on our experience
and expertise in the China market, we are excited about the upcoming launch of Rift to our broad gamer audience and are confident in the success of Rift in the China market.”
The Shanda partnership showcases Trion’s commitment to a global premium online games business that defines the future of games. Today’s announcement follows Trion’s updates of an $85 million round of strategic growth equity financing, and the company’s plans to launch an initiative which comprises both a consumer platform and a full-scale publishing and development platform, code-named Red Door, later this year.
More details regarding the launch of Rift in mainland China, including launch timing will be announced at a later date. For more information on Rift, visit www.RIFTgame.com.
About Shanda Games
Shanda Games Limited (Nasdaq:GAME) is a leading online game developer, operator and publisher in China. Shanda Games offers a diversified game portfolio, which includes some of the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and advanced casual games in China, targeting a large and diverse community of users. Shanda Games manages and operates online games that are developed in-house, co-developed with world-leading game developers, acquired through investments or licensed from third parties. For more information about Shanda Games, please visit http://www.ShandaGames.com.
Contact
Katie Uhlman
Trion Worlds
650.394.1240
Katie@trionworlds.com
Sibel Sunar
47 Communications
323.658.1200