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After the successful launch of The Burning Crusade in western territories, investors in China's online game operators are now keeping a close eye on The9 Limited this week for confirmation of a rumored deal to extend its massively multiplayer World of Warcraft franchise with the Burning Crusade expansion pack. The9 presently handles the distribution of WoW in the Chinese region
Industry watchers have been wondering whether Vivendi's Blizzard Entertainment unit might try to go around The9 to launch the expansion pack with a new partner since The9's original license contract in February 2004. Blizzard has stated in the past that they are actively exploring and discussing cooperation opportunities and further expansion of its business with local potential partners for mainland China.
The9's stock is notching all-time highs lately, as investors look at China's strongest pipeline of future games, as well as the most sophisticated population of gamers playing WoW. With their release of Hellgate: London still in the works, nearly all of the company's revenue is currently coming from WoW.
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