Investor FAQs

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Where is Shanda Games' stock listed?

Shanda Games' American Depositary Shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol GAME (CUSIP: 81941U105).

When did Shanda Games go public, and at what price?

Shanda Games priced its American Depositary Shares on September 25, 2009 at a price of U.S. $12.5 per ADS in its initial public offering (IPO). One ADS represents two Class A ordinary shares.

What is an online game and how does it differ from an offline game?

The electronic games industry is broadly divided into offline games and online games. Online games are those in which at least one component must be played through the Internet. The main part of the game software operates on network servers to which end users have no access, and user data are stored on the servers. Although some offline games have network features that allow users to play on a peer-to-peer basis on a local area network or through a publisher's server, usage data are not stored on any servers.

What is an MMORPG?

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games, (MMORPGs) allow thousands of users to interact with one another in a virtual world by assuming ongoing roles or characters with different features. The games are continuous, and players accumulate features, advance in levels and can communicate with one another through instant messaging. The interactive and group-oriented nature of our games creates a strong sense of community among users, and the large size of our user base contributes to user loyalty and helps to attract new users.

What is a casual game?

Casual games are less complex and time consuming than MMORPGs, but attract a broader range of users. Casual games generally have cartoon style and can be played to a conclusion within a short period of time.

How can I purchase shares of Shanda Games' stock?

Shares of Shanda Games' ADS can be purchased through a stockbroker or online brokerage of your choice.

Does Shanda Games pay a cash dividend?

In 2011, our board of directors declared a special cash dividend of US$0.51 per Class A or Class B ordinary share, or US$1.02 per American Depositary Share ("ADS"), to our shareholders or ADS holders as of record December 20, 2011. In the future, cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial conditions, shareholders' interests, contractual restrictions and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant.

When is the ex-dividend date for the US$1.02 special cash dividend?

Pursuant to the rules of the Nasdaq, when a dividend is declared in a per share amount that exceeds 25% of a company's stock price, the date on which that company's shares will begin to trade without the dividend, or ex-dividend, is the first business day following the payable date, which is January 20, 2012. Therefore, the ex-dividend date has been set by the Nasdaq as January 23, 2012.

Who is entitled to receive the US$1.02 special cash dividend?

Shareholders or ADS holders as of record December 20, 2011. However, pursuant to the due bill procedures under the applicable Nasdaq rules, trades of ADSs entered into before ex-dividend date and settled after the record date (the "due bill period") will have a due bill attached for the special cash dividend payable on January 20, 2012. This means that investors who purchase these securities during the due bill period (even if the trades are to be settled after that due bill period) are entitled to receive the special cash dividend, and sellers who sell the securities during the due bill period (even if the trades are to be settled after the due bill period) are not entitled to the special cash dividend. Investors who enter into trades to purchase the Company's ADSs on or after ex-dividend date will not be entitled to the special cash dividend payable on January 20, 2012.

Will I receive the US$1.02 special cash dividend if I held ADSs on the record date of December 20, 2011 but then sell them before the ex-dividend date?

You initially are entitled to the dividend, but by operation of the due bills activated by Nasdaq, on selling the ADSs after December 20, 2011, your dividend entitlement is transferred to the buyer of the ADSs through the due bills. You are advised to consult with your US broker or other US advisors on the consequence of shares trading with due bills.

Will I receive the US$1.02 special cash dividend if I buy ADSs after the December 20, 2011 record date?

If you buy ADSs trading with due bills after December 20, 2011 and hold them up to the close of business the day before the ex-dividend date, you will have an entitlement to the dividend on redemption of the due bills. You are advised to consult with your US broker or other US advisors on the consequence of shares trading with due bills.