NetEase has reported an increase in revenues and profit for the business year ended December 31, 2009, thanks in part to the successful re-launch of World Of Warcraft during its fourth fiscal quarter.
Total revenues for the year came in at RMB3.8 billion ($560.1m / £370.2 m), compared to RMB3.0 billion a year earlier.
Net profit totalled RMB1.9 billion ($271.m / £179.1), versus RMB1.6 billion the previous year.
"NetEase concluded 2009 with strong fourth quarter results amid the gradual recovery from the global economic slowdown,” said company CEO William Ding.
NetEase assumed Chinese operations for World Of Warcraft in April 2009, but subsequent legal disputes with domestic government regulators meant that the game’s full re-launch was held up until the last quarter of the year.
"We are committed to the continued success of World Of Warcraft, a game licensed from Blizzard Entertainment, which is evidenced by the highly positive response from players since the game was re-launched in mainland China on September 19, 2009," said Ding.
"In 2010, we will continue to follow our pragmatic approach to executing our game plan in order to further enhance our market share in the MMORPG market in China.”