SHANGHAI, China, May 5 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Giant Interactive Group Inc. (NYSE: GA) ("Giant" or "the Company"), one of China’s leading online game developers and operators, announced today that peak concurrent users ("PCU") for its newly launched modern military themed online game, Giant Online, reached 344,005 at 8:33PM (Beijing Time) on May 03, 2008. On March 28, 2008, Giant Online achieved a PCU of over 237,000 during its open beta testing, representing the best-performing online game by PCU on the first day of open beta testing reported to date in 2008.
Mr. Yuzhu Shi, Giant’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Giant Online is on track in achieving the growth performance we had planned during the research and development stage. A PCU growth of almost 110,000 in one month since the open beta launch is a strong testament that Giant Online is becoming increasingly welcomed by gamers. We have been extensively collecting the gamers’ feedback, and continuously enhancing Giant Online in terms of its content, graphics quality, as well as thoroughly optimizing both the server-side and the client-side performances. One of our more popular gameplay features is called ‘The Time of Peace’, which is an hour within the day when gamers cannot be attacked by other gamers, allowing them to safely accomplish certain desired tasks. Tasks such as riding escort vehicles or crossing to other virtual countries to garner higher experience points can be done without the risks of being slain during this hour of peace. In addition, to further promote interactivity, we incentivize gamers with virtual items or virtual currency, as long as they complete certain tasks and contribute to the in-game community. These are only a few of the hundreds of gameplay features we incorporated into Giant Online. Although I am pleased of Giant Online’s performance to date, our development model requires that we continue to painstakingly update and evolve our game features based on the feedbacks from the gamers, even long after the commercialization. This will enable us to continue the growth momentum for years to come."
About Giant
Giant is one of China’s leading online game developers and operators in terms of revenues, focusing on massively multiplayer online role playing games. Giant’s first game, ZT Online, was voted the most popular online game in China in 2006 according to the International Data Corporation. The Company’s second game, Giant Online, entered into open beta testing on March 28, 2008. Giant has two additional online games that it intends to launch, including King of Kings III and Empire of Sports. Giant has built a nationwide distribution network to sell the prepaid game cards and game points required to play its games, which as of December 31, 2007 consisted of over 200 distributors, and reached over 116,500 retail outlets, including internet cafes, software stores, supermarkets, bookstores, newspaper stands, and convenience stores located throughout China. For more information, please visit Giant Interactive Group Inc. on the web at http://www.ga-me.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to, among other things, Giant’s ability to continue to enhance its game features and increase its player base. Giant’s industry is highly competitive and it faces a number of risks including those outlined under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 12 of Giant’s prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2007. Giant undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Contact:
Eric He, CFO
Giant Interactive Group Inc.
Tel: +86-21-6451-5001
Investor Relations (US):
Mahmoud Siddig
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
Investor Relations (HK):
Ruby Yim
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +852-3196-3712
Media Contact:
John Dudzinzky
Taylor Rafferty
Tel: +1-212-889-4350
