EA and Neowiz Corporation Announce Agreement for Investment and Online Games in Asia
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), the world's leading developer
and publisher of interactive entertainment, plans to make an equity
investment in Korea-based online gaming company, Neowiz Corporation,
and expand the existing co-development and publishing relationship
with that company.
In 2006, EA and Neowiz partnered to launch one of Korea's most
popular games: EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA Online, a game with more than 4.4
million registered subscribers.
Upon completion of the investment, EA will own approximately 19
percent of common stock equivalents (excluding treasury shares)
comprised of 15 percent of common stock and four percent of preferred
stock of Neowiz which could be converted into common stock at a later
date. The aggregate investment made by EA will be approximately US$105
million. When the deal closes, EA will be Neowiz' second largest
shareholder after CEO-founder Sung Kyun Na. Additionally, EA and
Neowiz intend to co-develop an additional four online games for Asia.
Neowiz has the rights to publish two of the four online games in Korea
and Japan.
"Our partnership with EA has been a tremendous success in Korea,"
said Neowiz CEO Sung Kyun Na. "EA has a rich portfolio of game
franchises and we look forward to partnering with them on bringing new
titles and in new markets in Asia."
"We are extremely happy with the expertise Neowiz showed in
launching FIFA Online in Korea last year. We think they will be a
great partner for bringing other EA franchises to the rapidly growing
market for online games in Asia," said EA Chairman and CEO Larry
Probst.
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 videogame 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 2006, EA posted
revenue of $2.95 billion and had 27 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
Neowiz Co. Ltd, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is the
nation's leading online game company. Founded in 1997, Neowiz is
expected to post revenues of $150 million for fiscal 2007. The company
develops and publishes online games. In 2006, Neowiz had over 50
online game titles in service including the most popular online game
in Korea called Special Force. 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
Safe Harbor For Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements set forth in this release, including those
regarding EA's pending investment in, and its co-development and
publishing agreements with, Neowiz Corporation, growth in the online
games market in Asia, and the expected impact of the investment and
agreements on EA's strategic and operational plans and financial
results, contain forward-looking statements that are subject to
change. Statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe,"
"estimate" or "expect" and statements in the future tense are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or
actual future results to differ materially from the expectations set
forth in the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors which
could cause results to differ materially from the expectations
expressed in these forward-looking statements include the following:
the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of
necessary regulatory approvals; the possibility that the investment
and/or agreements will not be consummated or that the consummation of
either may be delayed; the effect of the announcement of the
investment and agreements on EA's and Neowiz' strategic relationships,
operating results and business generally, including the ability to
retain key employees; general economic conditions; and other factors
described in EA's SEC filings (including EA's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006 and Quarterly report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2006). If any of these risks
or uncertainties materialize, the investment and/or agreements may not
be consummated or may not be consummated on the anticipated terms, the
potential benefits of the investment and agreements may not be
realized, EA's operating results and financial performance could
suffer, and actual results could differ materially from the
expectations described in these forward-looking statements. EA assumes
no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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