Electronics Arts (EA) (Nasdaq:ERTS) may give mainland operating rights for its pay-for-item racing MMORPG Need For Speed: World Online to Shanghai-based online game company The9 (Nasdaq:NCTY), reports qq.com quoting an unnamed media source. Electronics Arts holds a 16.8% share in The9, said the report. Need For Speed: World Online developer Jean-Charles Gaudechon said in early April that the game was seeking a Chinese operator.

The9's license for World of Warcraft is scheduled to expire in June, after which NetEase (Nasdaq:NTES) intends to take over operation.