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( BW)(CA-EA/NEOWIZ)(ERTS) EA Brings Battlefield to Online Gaming in
Asia
Acclaimed Franchise from EA DICE Co-Developed with Neowiz Games to
Expand EA's Online Offering in Asia
Business Editors/Video Game Writers/High-Tech Editors
SEOUL, South Korea & REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June
6, 2007--Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ:ERTS) the world's leading
developer and publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced
that Battlefield, its acclaimed franchise from EA DICE, is coming to
the online gaming market in Asia. The game will be co-developed by EA
and Neowiz Corporation as part of an-ongoing strategic partnership
between the two companies, and Neowiz Games will have the exclusive
publishing rights for Korea. Availability of the Battlefield online
offering in other Asian markets including China, Japan and Taiwan will
be announced in the coming weeks.
The announcement builds on EA's strategy of partnering with proven
regional operators to bring online games to Asia. Following EA
SPORTS(TM) FIFA Online and EA's announcement to bring Warhammer(R) to
Asia, Battlefield expands EA's presence in the rapidly growing Asian
online gaming market.
In 2006, EA and Neowiz partnered to launch EA SPORTS FIFA Online,
now one of Korea's most popular games with more than 4.9 million
registered subscribers. In March 2007, the companies expanded their
relationship to include the co-development of an additional four
online games for Asia. Battlefield is the first EA franchise to be
announced as part of that agreement.
The franchise creators at EA DICE in Stockholm, Sweden and the
development teams at Neowiz Games in Seoul will team up to create the
Asian offering. Gamers can expect to see enhancements that build on
the rich community element of existing titles in the Battlefield
franchise such as social networking and clan support, as well as all
new features to deliver an always-fresh, online in-game experience.
Patrick Soderlund, General Manager of EA Dice, said, "We've seen
the success of the Battlefield community in Europe and North America,
and are excited to start working with the talented team at Neowiz
Games to develop the game for Asia. This is a great opportunity for
the Battlefield franchise to create a new online experience with rich,
streamlined game play and mass market appeal."
"Our partnership with EA continues to bring exciting possibilities
to Korea," said Neowiz Games CEO Kwan Ho Choi. "Online gamers in this
region have high interest in the first person shooter genre and the
power of the Battlefield franchise is sure to be a big hit with Korean
players."
Hubert Larenaudie, President of EA Asia Online, added, "Neowiz
Games is a great partner to help us expand our rich portfolio of games
in Asia. FIFA Online has seen fantastic response from Korean players
and we're looking forward to future success with Battlefield and other
popular EA franchises."
EA owns an approximate 15 percent share in Neowiz.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City,
California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software
company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and
distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems,
personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic
Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM),
EA(TM), EA SPORTS BIG(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2007, EA posted
revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one
million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More
information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be
found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Neowiz Games
Neowiz Games Co. Ltd, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is the
nation's leading online game company. Neowiz Games is expected to post
revenues of $160 million for fiscal 2007. The company develops and
publishes online games. Neowiz had over 50 online game titles in
service, including the most popular online game in Korea called EA
SPORTS FIFA Online, Ray City, etc. Neowiz markets its products under
its online game portal www.pmang.com. More information about the
company, information and press releases can be found on the internet
at www.neowiz.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Warhammer is a registered trademark of Games Workshop Ltd. EA SPORTS
FIFA Online is manufactured under license by Electronic Arts. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: EA Corporate
Jeff Brown, +1-650-628-7922
jbrown@ea.com
or
EA International
Tiffany Steckler, +4122 316 1322
tsteckler@europe.ea.com
or
Neowiz Games
EunKyung Huh, +82-2-6001-2183
tomato@neowiz.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA SWEDEN SOUTH KOREA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC
EUROPE
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE INTERNET
E-COMMERCE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS
SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc.
Copyright Business Wire 2007
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