CDC Games Takes The Lord of the Rings Online to China

CDC Games, part of the CDC Corporation and a pioneer of the "free to play, pay for merchandise" model for online games in China, is set to launch The Lord of the Rings Online in China during the second half of 2009.

The Lord of the Rings Online, developed by U.S.-based Turbine under license from Saul Zaentz Company's Tolkien Enterprises, is already on sale in North America, Europe, Russia and South Korea. The game is being adapted for the Chinese market.

CDC Games holds the exclusive distribution rights in China for The Lord of the Rings Online, which is the only massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) based on the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

"We are very excited about the anticipated launch of The Lord of the Rings Online in China," says James Crowley, president and chief executive officer of Turbine. "With CDC Games' expertise in the online game market in China and its first class marketing, online gaming platform and support operations, we are confident of the long-term success of this game."

"CDC Games and Turbine have been strong and trusted partners through the process of localizing the game and adding major new content to appeal to the distinctive China market," says Monish Bahl, chief financial officer of CDC Games. "We feel the estimated timing of this launch is a good opportunity in light of the current competitive environment in China, especially with the recent situation of certain popular foreign titles of this genre."