Shanda, Tecmo Partner For Dead or Alive Online

China-based MMO operator Shanda Interactive has announced a new deal with Japanese publisher and developer Tecmo for Dead or Alive Online, an online version of the popular fighting game series for both the PC and Shanda's EZ Series of PC-based 'gaming consoles.' As part of the agreement, the game will be created by Tecmo's Lievo Studio, which specializes in online game development through its bespoke MMO platform, while Shanda will assist development through its technology and experience with online games. According to a statement announcing the partnership, both Tecmo and Shanda are expected to profit from the new deal, with Shanda's chairman and CEO Tianqiao Chen commenting that going forward the companies "will continue to actively seek cooperative opportunities in online entertainment-related fields." Shanda will also operate the game in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, where it is expected to enter commercialization prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. An eventual global roll out of the game is also planned following its initial release in China, though it remains unclear when this will take place. "DoA Oline is not a simple replant from the console platform to the PC platform. It is a completely new game featuring the characteristics of a PC online game. We are confident that the game will become one of the most successful online games in China," noted Tecmo president and CEO Yoshimi Yasuda. "As China's largest online game company, we believe Shanda is the best partner of Tecmo's global game platform 'Lievo' in China."