Century Horizon

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Century Horizon
Original Name	世纪华创
Other Names	Century Horizon Network Technology Co., Ltd.; Century Horizon Network Co., Ltd.; later Century Horizon Group 95 108
Organization Type	Network technology company that develops into a diversified internet group 36 288
Founder / Chairman	Chen Hao 36 556
Co-founders	Chen Hao, Lin Lang, Xu Pengkun, and Pang Ban 577
Founded	April 8, 2002 577
Initial Registered Capital	10 million yuan 36
Original Office	Entire 22nd floor of the China World Trade Center, Beijing 36
Principal Businesses	Online games, communications and social platforms, cybersecurity, infrastructure, media, investment, e-commerce, and technological research 288 546 577
Corporate Vision and Mission	“Technology Saves the World, Innovation Leads the Globe!” 389 393
Status	Operating and expanding through the latest documented events 577
First Appearance	Establishment in Chapter 36 36

History

Establishment and First Projects

Chen Hao establishes Century Horizon in Beijing with a business scope covering software development, network engineering, hardware and software sales, advertising, game publishing, and telecommunications services. Its name expresses his ambition to dominate the new century 36.

The company begins with four co-founders and no employees. Its exhibition hall later records the following early milestones 577:

Date	Milestone
April 8, 2002	Century Horizon is founded by Chen Hao, Lin Lang, Xu Pengkun, and Pang Ban 577.
June 1, 2002	Partnership with Webzen secures exclusive Chinese publishing rights for Miracle 577.
June 8, 2002	First external recruitment drive begins at the International Exhibition Center; 104 people join over two days 577.
August 8, 2002	Miracle enters open beta; the retrospective records 200,000 concurrent players on its first day 577.
September 15, 2002	Taoyoubao launches as the country’s first online virtual-item trading platform 577.

Chen Hao takes a direct role in the first game project, approving marketing plans, increasing the open-beta promotional budget, and giving detailed instructions for the Miracle MU website. New employees initially doubt their young boss but become more committed after seeing his technical and managerial expertise 58.

Expansion Beyond Game Publishing

During late 2002, Century Horizon begins building businesses around its gaming operations. Century Investment acquires 17173, while Century Giant Hardware Services is announced on November 23 to provide professional server-room and network services. At the end of November, the group launches a medical-relief platform for families facing terminal illness and financial hardship. Century Investment also purchases Phantom Forum for 3 million yuan 95.

Chen Hao establishes Century Security and the Ji’an Medical Rescue Foundation with investments of 10 million yuan each, entrusting their management to Pang Ban and Xu Pengkun respectively 88. He subsequently secures publishing rights for Ragnarok Online and Crazy Arcade during a trip to Korea 95.

Rivalry with Shanda and Market Leadership

Chen Tianqiao offers 300 million yuan, payable over three years, for 49% of Century Horizon. Chen Hao rejects the proposal and explains to employees that accepting it would introduce uncertainty and disrupt the company’s plans 92.

Shanda responds with new game launches and action against private servers, including Greedy Blue Moon. Century Horizon publicly advocates against gambling, drugs, cheats, and private servers in online games 92.

The rivalry escalates when Century Horizon employees are assaulted by Shanda’s men. Attempts to remove online coverage fuel public anger, boycotts, and defections from Shanda’s games to Miracle. Chen Hao uses the resulting crisis to challenge Shanda’s market position 105 107.

On January 1, Miracle releases its first expansion, Sky City. Century Horizon Network Co., Ltd. is renamed Century Horizon Group, and Century Media and Century Interactive Entertainment Network are established. Miracle leads the market for the first time, reaching a peak of 360,000 concurrent players and more than 10 million registered users 108 109.

Original Games and Overseas Expansion

After Blizzard dismisses Century Horizon’s initial proposal to publish World of Warcraft, Chen Hao prioritizes strengthening the company and developing original games. Xu Changlong is appointed to lead Tianxuan Game Studio’s Wuxia World OL project 134.

Century Interactive Entertainment later prepares for World of Warcraft testing, but Blizzard’s local and remote support teams abruptly become unreachable. Chen Hao delays the launch and redirects resources toward Wuxia World, arranging promotions with Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, and McDonald’s 241 294 298.

The group develops an overseas presence that includes London and San Francisco offices. Chen Hao assigns Duan Jianye responsibility for the North American market, requiring coordination with other overseas offices and regular reports to Zhou Xiao 377 380.

A Times Square performance combining martial arts, Three Kingdoms imagery, and game footage promotes Century Interactive Entertainment’s North American expansion. Four major games enter open beta there on July 10, filling their servers and provoking discount campaigns and hostile publicity from competitors 416.

Cybersecurity Conflicts and the 4Q War

A coordinated campaign against the group draws together antivirus vendors and other internet competitors. During a major network attack, Chen Hao prioritizes gaming infrastructure over security research and social-network projects. Security and hardware teams use NetShield and link-verification filtering to defend the network; the Zodiac Twelve Palaces plant tracking “seeds” before the attack temporarily ends after three days 258 261.

In 2008, the 4Q War pits Century Horizon against Tencent. Century’s privacy-scanning promotion targets QQ, while Tencent assembles a broader coalition against Century Horizon Group 511 577.

Authorities order both companies to apologize, restore compatibility and normal software use, cooperate with investigations, and prevent similar incidents. Century Horizon receives a 100 million yuan administrative fine, and Tencent withdraws its lawsuit 516.

Century Horizon 2.0

After reviewing and streamlining the group’s businesses, Chen Hao introduces Century Horizon Group 2.0 on March 2. The reorganization divides the group into eight business groups and establishes a rotating CEO system with four initial candidates 535 546.

The changes require business handovers, revised responsibilities, and office reallocations throughout the industrial park. Chen Hao retains authority above the rotating CEOs while seeking to reduce his involvement in everyday management 546.

Blizzard Acquisition and Later Development

In 2009, Century Horizon negotiates with Vivendi to acquire Blizzard, competing with Activision’s own plans. The group agrees to Blizzard’s terms concerning independent control but disputes the acquisition price 546 551 577.

Century Horizon combines negotiations with publicity, Activision share purchases, cooperation discussions, and a worldwide free month for Wuxia World. Activision subsequently abandons its Blizzard acquisition plan, strengthening Century’s negotiating position 552 555.

On March 26, Century Blizzard holds its ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mike Morhaime becomes senior vice president and remains responsible for the game division, while Duan Jianye helps integrate operations, promotion, and partnerships. The intended arrangement pairs Blizzard’s production capabilities with Century’s sales operations 556 557.

The group’s later exhibition timeline records a partial acquisition of Shanda in 2010. By that point, Century Interactive Entertainment’s gaming operations extend across five continents and ten countries 577.

Organization and Businesses

Century Horizon 2.0 Business Groups

The reorganization establishes eight business groups; the provided account identifies the following five by name and responsibility 546:

Business Group	President	Responsibilities and Affiliated Organizations
Strategic Development	Xu Pengkun	New-business incubation and investment strategy; includes Century Investment 546.
YY	Zhang Xiaolong	Development and operation of the YY ecosystem, including YY, YY Live, and Y Message 546.
Innovation Science	Dr. Wang Jian	Research into operating systems, chips, big data, machine learning, and cloud computing; includes Century Science Research Institute 546.
Channel Media	Li Fang	Publicity, promotion, public relations, and related operations; includes Century Media and Century Horizon 546.
Social Supervision	Pang Ban	Integrity supervision across finance, HR, legal work, and other business groups, alongside charitable operations; includes Century Security, Century Jian, and the original Special Crimes Unit Six 546.

Major Companies and Platforms

Company / Platform	Function
Century Interactive Entertainment	Principal gaming business, covering publishing, original development, overseas operations, and competitive gaming 147 416 505.
Century Giant Hardware Services	Server-room and network services; later accounts also call the hardware operation Century Giant Hard or Century Giant Microsoft 95 109 347.
Century Investment	Investment and acquisitions, including 17173, 5173, and Phantom Forum 95 109.
Taoyoubao	Virtual-item trading platform; later expands into additional trading and player-employment models 109 577.
17173 and 5173	Acquired gaming-information and trading businesses integrated with Taoyoubao 109.
Century Shield / NetShield Technology	Enterprise and consumer cybersecurity research under Wu Hanqing 126 134.
Century Friendship Net	Social platform developed through farming games, friend interaction, and celebrity recruitment 268 278 367.
Century Vientiane	Crisis public relations and relationship facilitation under Li Fang 361.
Century University	Internal education for new hires, advanced technical personnel, and managers 361.
Juzi / Orange Technology	Mobile-phone development business supported by substantial capital and recruitment 389 390 577.
Century Pictures	Film-investment operation whose successful projects attract attention from film and television investors 288.
Jingxi Century Trading	Social e-commerce subsidiary intended to help users obtain better goods at lower prices through communication and sharing 568.

The group’s wider portfolio also includes 4399, hao123, Century Weibo, Century Security Guard, JD.com, and Meituan.com 577.

Gaming Portfolio and Technology

• Miracle MU — The early flagship that establishes Century Horizon’s market position. Its updates add equipment enhancement, reincarnation, castle sieges, mounts, and class advancement 58 109 147.
• Ragnarok Online and Crazy Arcade — Korean titles whose publishing rights Chen Hao obtains; both later participate in cross-promotions with Miracle 95 147.
• Legend of Mir 3 — A major published title whose move to free-to-play becomes a subject of financial review 199.
• Wuxia World OL — Original martial-arts MMORPG developed by Tianxuan Studio. Features include sect-specific stories, lightness skills, an open world, and raids requiring coordinated positioning and mechanics 134 275.
• Honor of Heroes and Alliance of Gods — Competitive titles that each surpass three million players worldwide. Each receives eight professional teams and a league scheduled to begin in April 505.
• Audition, KartRider, Dungeon & Fighter, and Crossfire — Titles covered by agency agreements with Korean companies 326.
• Century game engine — Developed by Arctic Studio and used across the gaming operation’s studios 577.
• Century Game Center (CGC) — Proposed PC online-game ecosystem, assigned to Zhou Xiao with a one-year development target 470.

Leadership and Key Personnel

• Chen Hao — Founder and chairman; directs acquisitions, major product decisions, organizational reform, and long-term strategy 36 546 551.
• Xu Pengkun — Co-founder responsible for investment, charity, and part of interactive entertainment; later leads the Strategic Development Business Group 347 546 577.
• Lin Lang — Co-founder responsible for server hardware and the expansion of server-room infrastructure 94 347 577.
• Pang Ban — Co-founder overseeing physical security, internal risk management, and Special Crimes Unit Six; later heads Social Supervision 347 361 546 577.
• Lin Xiaoran — Joins from Unilever and works closely with Chen Hao on administration, exhibition preparation, and financial arrangements 63 126 214 572.
• Zhou Xiao — Senior gaming executive responsible for operations, promotions, and the proposed CGC platform 108 117 470.
• Lu Tao — Technical leader responsible for Miracle’s Sky City expansion 109.
• Wu Hanqing — Recruited from Phantom Forum to lead cybersecurity development; also entrusted with the Zodiac Twelve Palaces 126 134 199.
• Wang Jian — Leads the research institute with broad delegated authority, research freedom, and funding; later heads Innovation Science 505 546.
• Liu Yonghao — HR director involved in recruitment, management meetings, and preserving the company’s early history 354 577.
• Duan Jianye — North American branch leader whose performance leads to an expanded role in Century Blizzard 380 557.

Management and Corporate Culture

Assessment and Advancement

• New employees receive a six-month probation period, with Chen Hao emphasizing equal opportunity and performance-based assessment 58.
• Century Academy introduces dual promotion channels; applicants must rank in the top 10% by OKR performance 362.
• Graduation from Century University becomes an important factor in advancement. Employees who attend take pride in addressing Chen Hao as “Principal” 420.
• The Elite Recruitment / Talent Program offers high compensation without requiring formal educational credentials, prioritizing substantial achievements in mathematics, physics, and computer science 356.
• The program’s recruitment process records a 99.3% elimination rate. Its first batch produces five successful candidates from nine final participants, covering company-secretary work, game engines, operating systems, and product management 362 367.

Employee Benefits

• Free meals: A company cafeteria is commissioned to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner 79.
• Working conditions: Two-day weekends, overtime pay, meal subsidies, shuttle buses, and free dormitories distinguish the group from many domestic employers 379.
• Compensation: Holiday and year-end bonuses, stock options, and triple pay for seven days of Spring Festival work are documented 117 393.
• Housing support: Employees discuss a 300,000 yuan interest-free loan offered by the group 577.
• Departing employees: Chen Hao hosts a farewell dinner, thanks former staff, and welcomes them back if their plans fail. He later proposes annual gatherings to support alumni entrepreneurship under the “Century Series” label 484 486.

Talent Retention and Risk Management

• A poaching wave more than doubles monthly resignations. An anonymously sourced report claims departures of over a dozen managers and hundreds of employees; Tencent is specifically reported to recruit three managers and more than twenty ordinary employees 354 356.
• Chen Hao presents departures as a test of the remaining team and an opportunity for internal promotion rather than treating every resignation as betrayal 354.
• Pang Ban’s Security and Risk Management Department investigates employee backgrounds and assesses internal risks 361.

Infrastructure and Research

• Initial server facilities: Chen Hao rents a Zhongguancun factory for a professional server room and contracts with EMC for ten sets of the latest blade servers 36.
• National infrastructure: Server rooms expand into major cities. An early audit records 100 million yuan already spent on the nationwide plan, with further investment required 109.
• Industrial headquarters: A new headquarters tops out after the group’s September conflicts; its remote location attracts media and industry scrutiny 269.
• Research investment: The group reports investing over 10 billion yuan in advanced technologies and assembling nearly a thousand technical specialists 505.
• Research autonomy: After observing the institute for two months, Chen Hao delegates full authority to Wang Jian and gives technical staff substantial freedom 505.
• Exhibition hall: Floors 17, 22, and 23 of China World Trade Center Phase II display company milestones, products, acquisitions, and charitable achievements 577.

Finance and Ownership

Chen Hao initially favors independence over outside financing or listing. He views additional shareholders as a source of interference and financial risk, preferring to confront competitors directly in the market 156.

Period / Event	Financial Detail
Shanda investment proposal	300 million yuan for 49%, payable over three years; rejected 92.
Early group audit	Approximately 150 million yuan in monthly revenue. Miracle and Taoyoubao contribute in a 6:4 ratio, while 17173 generates nearly 10 million yuan monthly from advertising and developer cooperation 109.
IDG gaming proposal	US$200 million for 30% of Century Interactive Entertainment; rejected 155.
Later IDG negotiations	Investment arrangements are finalized after IDG targets Century Security, Century Media, and Century Taoyoubao 202.
Strategic shareholdings	Century Horizon holds 7.4% of Tencent and a 10% stake in Alibaba 382.
Orange Technology expansion	Chen Hao commits another 1 billion yuan to the mobile-phone project 389.
Market valuation estimate	Century Horizon Group is estimated to equal Alibaba and Tencent’s combined valuation 497.
Later financing window	Subsidiaries including Century Interactive Entertainment, Juzi Technology, Century Weibo, YY, and Century Net open to outside capital; terms allow investment and dividends, but not listing or control 572.

Charity and Public Mission

• Medical assistance: The group launches a platform for families burdened by terminal illness and poverty, supported by its medical-relief foundation 88 95.
• Revenue commitment: An employee’s retrospective states that 10% of group revenue is allocated to charity 577.
• Public recognition: The exhibition hall preserves banners thanking the company for medical assistance and saving lives 577.
• Cultural export: Chen Hao’s open letter calls for overseas expansion and the promotion of Chinese culture. It circulates widely online and increases employee enthusiasm 379.
• Esports development: Century Esports Development Co., Ltd. is established to support China’s esports industry following Sky’s WCG2005 victory 389.

Industry Impact

• The “Century Effect”: Media use this term for the chain reactions caused by Century Interactive Entertainment’s game launches and, later, other Century products entering new fields 497.
• Development benchmark: Competitors study Wuxia World for its progression curve, boss mechanics, coordination requirements, engine, and seamless map design 307.
• Labor-market influence: Century’s high salaries increase rivals’ recruitment costs and make its employees attractive poaching targets 353 356.
• Corporate scale: The group surpasses 5,000 employees during its earlier expansion. By the Black Hole Plan meeting, Century Interactive Entertainment alone has nearly 10,000 employees, approximately 30% of the group’s workforce 389 543.
• Industry scrutiny: Competitors establish intelligence teams to monitor Century Horizon’s frequent product launches, strategic announcements, and overseas moves 378.

Notable Quotes

“Give me liberty, or give me death!”
— Chen Hao, after explaining his rejection of Shanda’s investment proposal 92

“Technology Saves the World, Innovation Leads the Globe!”
— Century Horizon’s corporate vision and mission 389 393