NCsoft today announced the opening of its Chinese homepage and the start of Lineage beta service on the Chinese mainland.

This expansion follows successful entrees into the U.S., Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong markets and reaffirms NCsoft's commitment to making the Lineage experience available to the largest possible audience. "Last year, the number of Internet users in China exceeded the number of users in Korea, and the number of online game users across the country has grown quickly," said Taek-Jin Kim, president of NCsoft.

"In addition, the rapid proliferation of Internet game rooms that started in Shanghai and spread to other parts of China will provide an excellent marketplace for the title."

NCsoft is in the process of choosing a local Chinese collaborative partner for Lineage. When a relationship has been established, the company will accelerate promotion and marketing of the title in preparation for Lineage commercial service to the Chinese market later this year.