The9 picks up Cross Fire sequel rights for $500m

Publisher The9 Limited has secured the licensing rights for the sequel of Tencent’s popular free-to-play FPS Cross Fire.

The company states its joint venture with Oriental Shiny Star Limited has reached a deal with Cross Fire developer Smilegate, which grants exclusive publishing and operation rights in mainland China for a five-year window.

The company will pay $50m to the Korean-based studio at the outset of the deal, and up to another $450m in royalty payments and bonuses upon the achievement of specified development and operational milestones.

The original Cross Fire boasts 500m players worldwide, and currently holds the world record for concurrent users in a single game at over 6m.