The9 invests in Red 5 Studios, Fire Rain [Updated]

They may have been burned by Blizzard when they lost World of Warcraft to their rival, NetEase, but The9 isn't out of the fight yet. Especially not when they've just recently backed the troubled Red 5 and Chinese developer Fire Rain with a substantial sum of money.

Gamasutra is reporting that The9 has invested 100 million RMB (14.67 million USD) into Fire Rain, however the number is unconfirmed and neither The9 or Fire Rain are confirming the exact terms of the investment. However, if these reports are accurate, The9 would now have a large majority stake in the company or may have bought the developer outright.

As to the US based Red 5 Studios, having The9 as a new backer may be keeping the studio alive. Last week, we reported that approximately 30 people had been laid off from the studio, and Kotaku has reported that the studio may have even been close to closing their doors.

Red 5 has since "re-evaluated" their position and ~~may be~~ ~~pursuing a game aimed at the Chinese marke~~t.

Update: Red 5's community manager, Matt DeWald, has gotten in contact with us to say that Red 5 is not pursing a game aimed solely at the Chinese market. Red 5's MMO will be aimed at the worldwide market.

Reader Comments (38)

Clifford the Big Red Dog standing by.

Red wine standing by

Red October standing by

Red Riding Hood standing by

Simply Red standing by.

Big Red standing by

Otis Redding standing by.

Former employees of Blizzard Entertainment make a company, On February 28, 2006, Red 5 Studios announced that they will be publishing an as-of-yet unannounced MMOG using the Offset Engine.

4 years later noting... but get a lot of money.

This sound like the former employees of Blizzard Entertainment trying to cash in on the "fame". After 4 years and no screen shots I wonder what they show to this guys to get all this money.... I think it was there old Blizzard hall IDs!