Open Beta Testing of StarCraft II in China Starts on March 29

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. and NetEase.com, Inc. announced today that open beta testing for StarCraft® II in mainland China will begin on March 29, 2011. During the open beta test, players will be able to access the multiplayer modes of StarCraft II for free. Players interested in participating can now visit the official Battle.net website (battlenet.com.cn), log in to an existing Battle.net account or create a new one, and download the game client in advance.

Following the end of the open beta test period, StarCraft II will be launched commercially in China, at which time players will be able to purchase game time in 30-day increments for a suggested retail price of RMB20, granting access to both multiplayer play and the epic single-player campaign. The commercial launch date for StarCraft II will be announced in the near future.

"We're excited that players across mainland China will soon be able to experience the intense strategic gameplay and cinematic storytelling of StarCraft II," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We've been continuing to balance and make improvements to the game since its global release last July, and we think Chinese players will agree that StarCraft II has been worth the wait."

William Ding, chief executive officer of NetEase said, "The original StarCraft is considered to be one of the classic real-time strategy games, which are highly popular among Chinese players, and we believe that StarCraft II will bring even more exciting competitive action to the Chinese gaming community. We are currently focusing all of our efforts on the final phase of preparation for the launch of the open beta, and we look forward to welcoming Chinese players into the game and onto Battle.net soon."

StarCraft II was released simultaneously in North America, Europe, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau on July 27, 2010. Following its release, StarCraft II sold more than 1.5 million copies in its first 48 hours of availability, making it the fastest-selling strategy game of all time. The game has gone on to sell more than 4.5 million copies worldwide.*

For more information on StarCraft II, please visit the official Chinese website at www.starcraft2.com.cn.

*Based on Blizzard Entertainment internal company records, public data, and/or reports from key distribution partners.