NetDragon Websoft explained

NetDragon Websoft
Genre:	massively multiplayer online games
Foundation:	^[1]
Subsid:	JumpStart Games
Location City:	Fuzhou^[2]
Location Country:	China
Num Employees:	3300 (in 2014) ^[3]

NetDragon Websoft is a Chinese company that develops and operates massively multiplayer online games in addition to making mobile applications.^[1] The company debuted its first product in 2002.^[1]

Some self-developed games it operates in China are based on Western IP, such as properties of Disney, Electronic Arts, and Ubisoft.^[4] Other games based on its own IP are distributed in CIS nations, the Middle East, North Africa, Portugal, Russia, and Vietnam, etc.^[5] Some games are also available in English.

Prior to selling this side of the business to Baidu, the company created a mobile phone app store stocked with self-created games and applications. NetDragon had differentiated itself by eschewing selling apps through the distribution channels of others, instead creating its own;^[6] in essence making consumers download a separate app to download their apps, allowing them exposure to other Netdragon offerings in the process.

The company headquarters, completed in 2014, garnered media attention for being inspired by Star Trek.^[7]

Education

NetDragon Websoft started getting involved in education^[8] in 2010 with the aims to develop "the largest learning community globally."^[9]

NetDragon has made several acquisitions regarding education and community, amongst which are included:

• A partnership with the University of North Texas to launch the UNT-NetDragon Digital Research Centre.^[10]
• Edmodo was acquired by NetDragon on April 8, 2018.^[11]
• On July 3, 2017, NetDragon announced that it had acquired American educational software publisher JumpStart Games.^[12]
• NetDragon also acquired a 100 percent stake in the UK-listed Promethean Limited back in 2015.^[13]

Sale of 91 Wireless

NetDragon sold its app store, 91 Wireless, to Baidu in 2013 for $1.85 billion. At that time, the sale was hailed as the biggest deal ever in China's IT sector.^[14] As the company controlled less than 58% of 91 Wireless, Netdragon took an estimated $1.06 billion from the sale.^[15]

The mobile applications available through this store, many of which are "91" branded, are quite disparate and include more than mobile games running the gamut from fortune telling to wealth management.^[16]

CSR

The company sponsors the Fujian NetDragon Youth Business Foundation, which helps entrepreneurial youth to start a small business.^[17]

See also

• Disney Fantasy Online
• Heroes of Might and Magic Online
• Transformers Online
• 91kt.com
• 91 Wireless
• Edmodo
• Promethean World
• JumpStart

Notes and References

1. Web site: Company Overview . Netdragon Websoft Inc . June 6, 2012.
2. Web site: FAQ . Netdragon Websoft Inc . June 6, 2012.
3. Web site: FAQ . Netdragon Websoft Inc . May 26, 2015.
4. For games based on Electronic Arts IP, see both Web site: NetDragon Enters into Agreement with EA to Develop New Online Game -- Dungeon Keeper Online . Electronic Arts . December 1, 2008 . June 6, 2012. AND Web site: EA, NetDragon Partner On Chinese Ultima Online . UBM TechWeb . gamasutra.com . July 23, 2009 . June 6, 2012 . Alexander, Leigh.
   • For game based on Disney IP, see News: NetDragon, Disney pact for game: 'Fantasy Online' set for Spring 2009 release . Variety . Dec 2, 2008 . Reed Elsevier Inc . June 6, 2012 . Lim, Marcus.
   • For game based on Ubisoft IP, see Web site: NetDragon Launches 'Heroes of Might and Magic Online' on May 30th 2008. . Jun 1, 2008 . . June 8, 2012.
5. For Middle East and North Africa, see "NetDragon Sets the Bar for Arabic-language Region's Online Gaming Market." China Weekly News. NewsRX. 2011. HighBeam Research. 24 May. 2014
   • For Russia and CIS nations, see "NetDragon's 'Eudemons Online' Headed for Russia." China Weekly News. NewsRX. 2009. HighBeam Research. 24 May. 2014
   • For Indonesia, Malaysia, and Portugal, see "NetDragon Launches English Expansion Pack for Eudemons Online - 'The Divine Path'." Science Letter. NewsRX. 2009. HighBeam Research. 24 May. 2014
6. Web site: NetDragon Websoft : mobile gaming is booming . L’Atelier BNP Paribas . L’Atelier . November 26, 2012 . January 7, 2013.
7. News: 2015-05-25 . Chinese Firm’s Headquarters Shaped Like ‘Star Trek’s’ Enterprise . en-US . Wall Street Journal . 2023-10-14 . 0099-9660.
8. Web site: Technology Enhanced Learning.
9. Web site: NetDragon Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Results. March 22, 2018. March 27, 2018.
10. Web site: UNT launches NetDragon Digital Research Centre. May 15, 2018. August 5, 2019.
11. NetDragon Signs Agreement to Acquire Edmodo to Create the Largest Global Learning Community. April 8, 2018. August 27, 2018.
12. NetDragon Acquires JumpStart to Expand Its Online Communities. July 3, 2017. March 27, 2018.
13. Web site: China's NetDragon completes Promethean acquisition . March 27, 2018.
14. News: Baidu says agrees to buy Netdragon's 91 Wireless for $1.85 billion . Paul Carsten . Reuters . 14 August 2013.
15. "NetDragon Signs Merger Pact between Baidu and 91 Wireless." Manufacturing Close-Up. Close-Up Media, Inc. 2013. HighBeam Research. 24 May. 2014
16. Web site: Netdragon Websoft Inc (0777.HK): Full Description . Thomson Reuters . June 6, 2012.
17. "NetDragon Fujian Honored with 2008 'National Outstanding Award for Internet Cultural Enterprise'." Internet Weekly News. NewsRX. 2009. HighBeam Research. 24 May. 2014