THE9 Limited launched the highly anticipated "Burning Crusade" for its popular online game "World of WarCraft" yesterday on the Chinese mainland, nine months after its debut in Europe, Japan and the United States.

The "Burning Crusade" adds features such as the entire new continent of "Outland," two new playable races and rewards. The9, China's No. 3 game firm, which posted a 40 percent decline in second-quarter earnings.