EA Buys Stake in The9

News hit today that publishing giant Electronic Arts has acquired a stake in the Chinese publishing company The9. The deal includes distribution rights for the forthcoming FIFA Online to the mainland Chinese market. The9 is also the distributer of Vivendi’s popular World of Warcraft and games like Hellgate:London. It is unknown at this time how the investment of money from EA will effect prior business relationships for the Chinese company.

What is known is that EA is interested in making its presence stronger among the Asian community and this deal helps cement that goal of tapping the potential gamers in China.