Proof that not all that glitters is gold...or true, even, EA have denied buying a 19% stake in Chinese online gaming operator The9. Despite Chinese paper Shanghai Securities News saying yesterday that they had. Odd.

EA spokesman Jeff Brown (pictured):

There is no signed agreement with The9.

Which I read as EA saying they haven't signed an agreement with The9. This isn't to say a deal isn't going to be signed, just that they haven't done signed one already. Maybe it's a work-in-progress, and The9 jumped the gun. Or maybe Shanghai Securities are full of shit. Who knows! Murky. Luke Plunkett

Electronic Arts says no signed agreement with The9 [Reuters]