Mumbai: China-based Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited has granted exclusive rights to Reliance ADAG’s Zapak Digital Entertainment for operation of Shanda’s in-house developed online racing game Crazy Kart in India.

Crazy Kart is currently under closed-beta testing in India and is expected to enter commercial operation in the second quarter of 2008. It is one of the most successful sports games in China and its cartoon-themed design style and competitive multiplayer game modes have made it a hit among users across Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. The deal with Zapak marks the company’s entry into the Indian market.

”We are very excited to work with Zapak… This marks another important milestone since we initiated our efforts to explore overseas opportunities last year. Our partnership signifies an alliance between the two leading game companies in China and India, and we are very optimistic about a long-term collaboration going forward,” said Shanda president and CTO Qunzhao Tan.

”In Zapak’s strategy, the cooperation on Crazy Kart is just the first step of the two parties’ long-term strategic partnership. We look forward to a close relationship with Shanda to bring more entertainment content to the Indian market in the future,” said Reliance Entertainment president Rajesh Sawhney.