Shanghai-based online game operator The9 Limited has announced an agreement with Korean online game developer T3 Entertainment (Audition series) to establish a joint venture, further strengthening their game development and publishing partnerships.

The9 manages the operation and distribution for several popular MMORPG titles, including Ragnarok Online 2 and World of Warcraft and its expansions, in mainland China. Previously, The9 revealed that it had acquired a minority stake in T3 parent company G10 Entertainment with a cash investment of approximately $38 million. The company has also licensed the rights to operate Audition 2 in mainland China.

In addition to supporting the development of T3's Audition series, the joint venture will develop online games targeting international markets in the near future.

Commented The9 chairman and CEO Jun Zhu: "We are very pleased to further partner with T3 to strengthen The9's game development capability, especially on casual games, to a new level. Through the joint venture, The9 will be more proactively involved in the development of Audition 2 as well as other games in the Audition game series. The joint venture will also facilitate tighter cooperation and communication between the two companies, adding customized and healthy China-specific colors to the games we're developing."

T3 CEO Kee-Young Kim added: "We are much excited to set up the joint venture with The9, which is already an important partner and strategic investor for our company. The joint venture will focus on developing top-notched and fine-tuned games for the Chinese market, and we believe it will prove to be a very strong alliance between the two companies whose resources and strengths well complement each other."