Sony Online Entertainment, Gateway and Intel Offer Cutting-Edge Technology and Content to Gaming Enthusiasts

- Including Intel's Pentium® 4 Processor and EverQuest, Gateway Desktop PCs Bring Gamers to a New Level in Online Gaming -

PRNewswire
SAN DIEGO
01/22/2002

Sony Online Entertainment Inc., a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, announced today a joint effort with Gateway Inc. and Intel Corporation to promote EverQuest®, the world's most successful online role-playing game. The promotion offers EverQuest fans bonus months of free online gameplay with either EverQuest Trilogy, including the original EverQuest and two expansion packs, or the most ambitious expansion pack to date, EverQuest: The Shadows of Luclin™ when they purchase any Gateway desktop PC with an Intel Pentium 4 processor. The promotion will be available online at http://www.everquest.com/ , http://www.gateway.com/ , Gateway stores and 1-800-GATEWAY.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011203/LAM002 )

"With technologies continuing to expand and gamers demanding more out of their computer systems, we have teamed up with two leaders in the computer industry to deliver a system that answers all of these demands and more," said Scott McDaniel, vice president of marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Utilizing some of today's most advanced computer technologies and the rich new expansion pack The Shadows of Luclin, gamers now have the best in online gameplay and technology right at their fingertips."

Gateway PC's, featuring the Intel® Pentium 4 processor, provide the best possible performance for playing the recently launched EverQuest: The Shadows of Luclin, offering both higher frame rates and smoother animation, to ultimately deliver a richer, more complete role-playing experience.

"This is a great value for Gateway customers and EverQuest players," said Jim Jones, vice-president, Gateway segment marketing. "These Gateway PC's provide vivid 3D images in a more realistic gaming environment at speeds that may just be the competitive edge players are seeking."

"Working with Sony Online and Gateway was a natural fit for us," said Deborah Conrad, vice president, Intel Solutions Marketing Group. "The Gaming System with the Pentium 4 processor provides the speed and 3D animation that today's games require for the best possible experience. With Luclin's rich new graphics and player action, there's no better way to put The Gaming System to the ultimate test."

Continuing to grow with top-selling expansions The Ruins of Kunark™ and The Scars of Velious™, EverQuest is the largest fantasy world ever created online. With new player features and improved graphics, EverQuest: The Shadows of Luclin is the latest and most extensive expansion pack yet offered. During peak periods, more than 98,000 adventurers and dragon slayers have explored the world of Norrath simultaneously. The Shadows of Luclin is currently available at retailers everywhere.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), the online gaming division of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, is a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming. Headquartered in San Diego, California, SOE develops, publishes and distributes entertainment for the PC and online markets. With more than 10 million registered users, SOE's award-winning website, The Station® ( http://www.station.com/ ) hosts a variety of entertaining games and player communities spanning all genres. In addition to blockbuster hits EverQuest® and Jeopardy! Online, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development such as PlanetSide™, Star Wars® Galaxies™ and Sovereign™.

About Intel Corporation

For three decades, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) has developed advanced technology enabling today's computing and Internet innovations. Intel's latest advancement, the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor, offers performance for higher frame rates, smoother animations, and faster game play in today's leading edge games as well as being a robust platform for the next generation of games. Intel is also a leading manufacturer of high-speed networking and communications products.

About Gateway

Gateway (NYSE: GTW), a personal technology company, improves people's lives through a combination of the latest and best hardware, communication tools, applications, training and service, all wrapped in a custom financing package. The company takes a localized approach; utilizing its Web site, call centers and nationwide network of Gateway retail stores to build direct relationships with consumers, small and medium businesses and government and education institutions. A Fortune 500® company founded in 1985, Gateway is ranked as the most admired American company in the Computers and Office Equipment industry in a Fortune magazine survey(1) and is the top brand in customer loyalty and for first-time home computer purchases of Wintel-based PCs(2). For more information, visit Gateway's Web site at www.gateway.com .

  (1) Fortune Magazine, "America's Most Admired Companies,"
      February 19, 2001.
  (2) From the Harris Interactive Consumer TechPoll(SM) study of 140,000 PC
      owners who use the Internet, released March 5, 2001.

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SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment Inc.; Gateway Inc.

Contact: Christy Fritts of Sony Online Entertainment, +1-858-577-3295,
cfritts@soe.sony.com; or Greg Lund of Gateway, +1-858-848-2512,
greg.lund@gateway.com

Website: http://www.everquest.com/

Website: http://www.gateway.com/

Website: http://www.station.com/