Electronic Arts Inc, the world's biggest video-game maker, will begin operating an online game in China to tap the rising number of Internet users, Bloomberg News reported.

"Tales Runner," in which players race to overcome various obstacles, is licensed from South Korea's Nowcom Co and will be operated by Guangdong Tian Yue Network Technology Development Co, Electronic Arts's Chinese partner, US company said in a statement yesterday. Financial details weren't disclosed.

Electronic Arts is introducing online games in China because they are difficult to copy illegally, unlike video games stored in discs or cartridges. Sales of online game subscriptions in China are expected to almost double from this year to 14.3 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion) in 2010, according to research company IResearch.

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