EA and The9 Announce Equity Investment and Exclusive Publishing Agreement for EA SPORTS FIFA Online in Mainland China

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), the world's leading developer
and publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced an equity
investment in one of China's largest online game operators, The9
Limited (NASDAQ:NCTY) ("The9"). The two companies also announced a
licensing agreement that gives The9 exclusive publishing rights for EA
SPORTS FIFA Online in mainland China. Upon completion of the equity
investment, EA will own approximately 15 percent of the common shares
of The9. The investment is roughly US$167 million.

The agreement builds on EA's strategy of partnering with proven
regional operators to bring online games to Asia, and The9's strategy
of expanding its game product offerings in the Chinese market.

EA SPORTS FIFA is EA's leading international sports franchise and
is seeing early online success in Asia. Last year, EA and Seoul-based
Neowiz partnered to launch EA SPORTS FIFA Online in Korea, now one of
Korea's most popular games, consistently ranked among top performers
with more than 4.4 million registered subscribers. The9 has exclusive
publishing rights for the game in mainland China.

"EA will be a strong partner for us in the rapidly expanding
online game market in China," said Jun Zhu, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of The9. "We are seeing strong interest in online
sports games in China with the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics and the
FIFA World Cup in 2010, and FIFA Online is set to be a top favorite in
the Chinese market."

Hubert Larenaudie, President, EA Asia Online, said, "This is
another significant step in EA's strategy to build an online presence
in Asia. The9's proven expertise will be a tremendous advantage in
bringing FIFA Online to a growing market and we look forward to
partnering with them to bring the best online football gaming
experience to millions of Chinese gamers and football fans."

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.

EA SPORTS FIFA Online is manufactured under license by Electronic
Arts.

About The9 Limited

The9 Limited is a leading online game operator in China. The9's
business is primarily focused on operating and developing high-quality
games for the Chinese online game players market. The9 directly or
through affiliates operates licensed MMORPGs, consisting of MU(R),
Blizzard Entertainment(R)'s World of Warcraft(R), Soul of The Ultimate
Nation(TM), and its first proprietary MMORPG, Joyful Journey West(TM),
in mainland China. It has also obtained exclusive licenses to operate
additional MMORPGs and advanced casual games in China, including
Granado Espada, Guild Wars, Hellgate: London, Ragnarok Online 2, Emil
Chronicle Online, Huxley, and FIFA Online. In addition, The9 is also
working on the development of a 3D fantasy MMORPG game, Fantastic
Melody Online(TM).

Safe Harbor For Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements set forth in this release, including those
regarding EA's investment in, and its publishing agreement with, The9,
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; the possibility that
the investment and/or publishing agreement will not be consummated or
that the consummation may be delayed; the effect of the announcement
of the investment and agreements on EA's and The9's strategic
relationships, operating results and business generally, including the
ability to retain key employees; The9's limited operating history as
an online game operator; political and economic policies of the
Chinese government; the laws and regulations governing the online game
industry, information disseminated over the Internet and Internet
content providers in China; intensified government regulation of
Internet cafes in China; The9's ability to retain existing players and
attract new players, anticipate and adapt to changing consumer
preferences and respond to competitive market conditions; 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 publishing agreement may not be
consummated or may not be consummated on the anticipated terms, the
potential benefits of the investment and agreement 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 which speak
only as of the date of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These
statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as
"will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans,"
"believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things,
the business outlook and quotations from management in this press
release contain forward-looking statements. The9 may also make written
or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F and 6-K, etc., in its
annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written
materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or
employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts,
including statements about The9's beliefs and expectations, are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve
inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any
forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, The9's limited operating history as an online
game operator, political and economic policies of the Chinese
government, the laws and regulations governing the online game
industry, information disseminated over the Internet and Internet
content providers in China, intensified government regulation of
Internet cafes, The9's ability to retain existing players and attract
new players, license, develop or acquire additional online games that
are appealing to users, anticipate and adapt to changing consumer
preferences and respond to competitive market conditions, and other
risks and uncertainties outlined in The9's filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on
Form 20-F. The9 does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.