Shengqu Games
A Shanghai-based Chinese publisher and operator of online and mobile games, formerly known internationally as Shanda Games.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Shengqu Games is a Chinese video-game publisher and operator headquartered in Shanghai. The business traces its origins to Shanda Interactive Entertainment, which was established in December 1999 by Chen Tianqiao, Chrissy Luo, and Chen Danian. It became one of the companies associated with the rapid growth of online gaming in China, initially building its business around the licensing, publishing, and operation of massively multiplayer online role-playing games and other internet titles. The company's early breakthrough came in September 2001, when Shanda published The Legend of Mir 2 in China under license from the Korean company WeMade Soft. The title became a major online-game property in the Chinese market and helped establish Shanda's operating model: secure rights to recognized games, localize them for Chinese players, and manage the infrastructure, distribution, and commercial operation of the service. A dispute over revenue sharing later damaged the relationship with WeMade. After Shanda could no longer operate The Legend of Mir 2, it launched The World of Legend in June 2003. The new title was designed to retain the player community's continuity, including character and virtual-item information, but WeMade argued that the game infringed its rights. The dispute developed into a lengthy legal conflict that was settled in 2009. By October 2004, Shanda was operating eight games and was reported to be China's largest online-game company, with approximately 1.2 million simultaneous players. Its portfolio subsequently expanded beyond domestically developed or licensed role-playing games to include international properties such as AION, MapleStory, Ragnarok Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Final Fantasy XIV in mainland China. The company also operated or published titles spanning casual games, strategy, action, and mobile gaming. Shanda Games became a business unit of Shanda Interactive by June 2008. In 2009, Shanda Interactive spun the games operation out as Shanda Games Limited. Its initial public offering in the United States raised approximately US$1.04 billion and used the ticker GAME. At the time of the offering, the games business represented a substantial share of Shanda Interactive's revenue. Shanda Group founder Chen Tianqiao later sold his stake in Shanda Games in 2014. The business changed ownership and branding during the following years. Zhejiang Century Huatong Group acquired the Shanda Games brand in 2017. After a buyout by Zhejiang Century Huatong, the company changed its name from Shanda Games to Shengqu Games on March 30, 2019. The renamed company continued to be associated with online-game publishing and operations, including established intellectual properties and subsidiary or affiliated organizations such as Aurora Technology, Eyedentity Games, and Actoz Soft. Its history reflects the development of China's online-game industry from PC-based MMORPG operations toward a broader portfolio that includes mobile games and international licensing.
History
Shengqu Games originated in Shanda Interactive Entertainment, founded in December 1999 by Chen Tianqiao, Chrissy Luo, and Chen Danian. The company entered the Chinese online-game market by licensing and operating overseas-developed titles. Its first major release was The Legend of Mir 2, which Shanda published in China in September 2001 under license from WeMade Soft. The game became a significant part of Shanda's early growth and demonstrated the commercial potential of subscription and item-based online-game operations in China. A commercial dispute over revenue sharing led to the breakdown of Shanda's relationship with WeMade in 2003. Shanda subsequently launched The World of Legend in June 2003. The company attempted to preserve continuity for players by transferring user data and promising that characters and virtual possessions would remain available in the new service. WeMade considered the new game an unauthorized copy of The Legend of Mir 2 and filed a copyright action against Shanda in October 2003. The dispute continued for several years before the parties reached a settlement on April 26, 2009. Shanda's operating scale expanded rapidly. By October 2004, it was reported to be running eight games and to have become China's largest online-game company, with about 1.2 million simultaneous players. Its portfolio broadened to include Chinese-developed games and internationally licensed properties. Among the titles associated with its publishing and operating activities were AION, MapleStory, Ragnarok Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, Final Fantasy XIV in mainland China, Crazy Arcade, GetAmped, Magical Land, The Age, and other online games. By June 2008, Shanda Games existed as a business unit within Shanda Interactive. In 2009, it was separated as Shanda Games Limited and completed a U.S. initial public offering under the symbol GAME. The offering raised approximately US$1.04 billion, making it one of the largest U.S. IPOs of that year. Shanda Games accounted for a substantial portion of Shanda Interactive's revenue at the time. Chen Tianqiao later sold his interest in the games company in 2014. The company's corporate ownership changed again in the late 2010s. Zhejiang Century Huatong Group acquired the Shanda Games brand in 2017. Following a buyout, the company changed its name to Shengqu Games on March 30, 2019. The renamed business retained an emphasis on game publishing and live operations, while its associated structure included Aurora Technology and Eyedentity Games as subsidiaries and Actoz Soft as a sub-organization. Its listed portfolio has included PC online games, mobile games, licensed global franchises, casual multiplayer titles, and some game hardware products. The company is therefore best understood as a long-running Chinese game operator whose identity developed from Shanda's early MMORPG business into a broader publishing and intellectual-property platform.
- 2019
The company adopts the Shengqu Games name
[1]Following a buyout, Shanda Games changes its name to Shengqu Games on March 30.
- 2017
The brand is acquired by Zhejiang Century Huatong
[1]Zhejiang Century Huatong Group acquires the Shanda Games brand.
- 2014
Chen Tianqiao sells his stake
[1]Shanda Group founder Chen Tianqiao subsequently divests his stake in Shanda Games.
- 2009
Shanda Games is spun off and listed
[1]The games division becomes Shanda Games Limited and completes a U.S. IPO under ticker GAME, raising approximately US$1.04 billion.
- 2009
The Mir-related legal dispute is settled
[1]Shanda and WeMade reach a settlement concerning The Legend of Mir 2 and The World of Legend.
- 2008
Shanda Games becomes a business unit
[1]By June, Shanda Games operates as a business unit within Shanda Interactive Entertainment.
- 2004
Shanda reaches leading operating scale
[1]By October, the company is reported to operate eight games and to have approximately 1.2 million simultaneous players.
- 2003
The World of Legend begins operation
[1]After its relationship with WeMade deteriorates, Shanda launches The World of Legend in June and migrates player-related information from the earlier service.
- 2001
The Legend of Mir 2 launches in China
[1]Shanda publishes the Korean-licensed online game in September, creating an important early foundation for its Chinese game-operations business.
- 1999
Shanda Interactive Entertainment is founded
[1]Chen Tianqiao, Chrissy Luo, and Chen Danian establish the business that later develops into the Shanda Games and Shengqu Games operation.
Products and positioning
A major Chinese online-game publisher and operator built around licensed and proprietary intellectual properties, live-service operations, localization, and long-running PC and mobile game franchises.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game · 2001
The Legend of Mir 2
A Korean-licensed online role-playing game published by Shanda in China beginning in September 2001. It was central to the company's early expansion and helped establish its reputation as an operator of large-scale online services. The title's commercial and legal history also shaped the subsequent launch of The World of Legend and the long-running dispute with rights holder WeMade.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game · 2003
The World of Legend
An online role-playing game that began operation in June 2003 after Shanda's relationship with WeMade broke down. Shanda positioned it as a continuation for players of The Legend of Mir 2 and transferred user-related data into the new service. WeMade alleged copyright infringement, leading to litigation that was ultimately settled in 2009.
Online role-playing game
MapleStory
A Korean-origin online game associated with Shanda's portfolio of internationally licensed and operated properties in China. Its inclusion illustrates the company's strategy of combining local publishing and service management with globally recognized game franchises.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
AION
An internationally developed online role-playing game listed among the titles published or operated by Shanda Games. It represents the company's role in bringing major overseas online properties to Chinese players through local operation and distribution.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Final Fantasy XIV Online
The online installment in Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, listed among the games operated by Shanda Games in mainland China. The title reflects the company's participation in the local operation of prominent global game franchises.
Online role-playing game
Ragnarok Online
An internationally known online role-playing game included in Shanda Games' historical publishing and operating portfolio. Its presence alongside MapleStory and other overseas properties demonstrates the company's broad licensing and localization activities.
Mobile game
Fallout Shelter Online
A mobile title listed among the company's products. It indicates Shengqu Games' participation in mobile publishing alongside its older PC-based online-game operations.
Game console
Ez Station
A game-console product associated with the company. It represents a hardware extension of Shengqu Games' broader gaming activities beyond publishing and online service operation.
Handheld game console
Ez MINI
A handheld gaming device listed in the company's historical product portfolio. Available source material identifies the product category but does not provide sufficient detail about its specifications, launch, or commercial performance.
Brand decisions
2019
Rebranding from Shanda Games to Shengqu GamesStrategyBackground
Following a buyout by Zhejiang Century Huatong Group, the company changed its corporate brand.
Action taken
The Shanda Games name was replaced by Shengqu Games on March 30, 2019.
Aftermath
The renamed company continued operating as a Chinese publisher and operator of online and mobile games.
2017
Acquisition by Zhejiang Century HuatongM&ABackground
The Shanda Games brand entered a new ownership phase after Chen Tianqiao had sold his stake in the business in 2014.
Action taken
Zhejiang Century Huatong Group acquired the Shanda Games brand.
Aftermath
The transaction placed the games business within Zhejiang Century Huatong's corporate group and preceded its later rebranding.
2009
Spin-off and U.S. public listingStrategyBackground
Shanda Interactive separated its games operation into Shanda Games Limited as the games business became a major component of the parent company's revenue.
Action taken
Shanda Games completed a U.S. initial public offering under ticker GAME and raised approximately US$1.04 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction made Shanda Games an independently listed games company and was described as the largest U.S. IPO of 2009.
IPO proceeds. Approximately US$1.04 billion raised (2009 initial public offering)
Recent events
- 2019
Shanda Games changes its name to Shengqu Games[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Following a buyout by Zhejiang Century Huatong Group, the company adopted the Shengqu Games name on March 30, 2019.
- 2017
Zhejiang Century Huatong acquires the Shanda Games brand[1]
M&A
The Shanda Games brand became part of Zhejiang Century Huatong Group.
- 2009
Shanda Games completes U.S. initial public offering[1]
Other
The games business was spun off from Shanda Interactive and listed in the United States under the ticker GAME. The offering raised approximately US$1.04 billion.
- 2009
The World of Legend dispute reaches settlement[1]
Lawsuit
Shanda and WeMade settled the long-running dispute concerning the relationship between The Legend of Mir 2 and Shanda's The World of Legend.
Sources4 sources
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