Shanda Games obtains operation rights to Final Fantasy
Shanghai. September 17. INTERFA-CHINA - Nasdaq-listed Shanda Games Ltd., the online games unit of Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd., has obtained an exclusive license from Tokyo-based Square Enix Co. Ltd. to operate the massively multi-player online role-playing (MMORP) version of Final Fantasy 14 in mainland China, the two companies jointly announced on Sept. 16.
According to the announcement, Shanda Games is the first mainland China games company to obtain operating rights to the Final Fantasy series, one of the best selling games in the world.
No financial details were released in the announcement.
Final Fantasy was first released in 1987 as a PC game, followed by an online version in 2002. To date, the PC version has sold more than 97 million copies worldwide.
Earlier this year, Shanda Games acquired the operating rights to the popular South Korean MMORPG "Dragon Nest" from its developer Eyedentity. In September, Shanda Games acquired Eyedentity for $95 million, Interfax previously reported.
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