Linekong and G-bits Form Strategic Partnership

Sina Tech, 12/19/07

Wang Feng's gaming company Linekong and domestic games developer G-bits have formed a strategic partnership. Both Wang and G-bits CEO Su Huazhou are to take up independent directorships on the other party's board.

According to Linekong's marketing director Yang Jun, Su has a close relationship with Linekong's management team, and both firms recieved IDG funding earlier in the year.

LENS: In a telephone interview with Marbridge, Linekong marketing director Yang Jun explained that the cooperation between Linekong and G-bits focuses on game R&D and personnel training.

Currently, Linekong operates three games ("Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre," "Wending," and "Mercenary World") all of which it licenses from outside developers. Looking ahead, Linekong would like to strengthen its own in-house game development capability, and has recently made a strong move in this direction with the acquisition of much of Netease's core game development team (see Netease Core R&D Team Hops to Linekong," Marbridge Daily 11/21/07 issue). Yang revealed that in the development of "Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre", Linekong's first licensed game, Linekong sent employees to work together with domestic game developer SeaSky Digital to co-develop the game. Linekong hopes the cooperation with G-bits will further strengthen its own R&D capability, as G-bits has already successfully developed two games: "AskTao", which reached 650K PCU in June 2007, and "Wending" which Linekong is to launch at the end of 2007.

For additional background on Linekong, please see:

Linekong to Operate 2 New Online Games," MW 07/13/07 issue;

21Vianet Partners with Linekong," MW 9/14/07 issue;

Linekong Signs New Game," Marbridge Daily 12/11/07 issue;

Online Gaming Operator Linekong Lands VC Investment," MW 5/18/07 issue.

Keywords: Wang Feng Linekong G-bits alliance Su Huazhou online gaming game developer Yang Jun IDG VC funding Internet