Sony Online Entertainment Announces Champions of Norrath™: Realms of EverQuest™ for the PlayStation®2

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced Champions of Norrath™: Realms of EverQuest™, marking the company's entrance into single-player console gaming for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Champions of Norrath, developed by Snowblind Studios (the creators of Baldur's Gate™: Dark Alliance™) and published by Sony Online Entertainment, is expected to ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores this Fall.

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

"Champions of Norrath is a brand new franchise for Sony Online Entertainment, bringing our unique fantasy universe to PlayStation 2 gamers in an exciting, action packed role-playing game," said Don Vercelli, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Not only does the game have a deep, single-player campaign, but it also includes a free online multiplayer component, allowing up to four friends to adventure together using their own internet connections."

With SOE's expertise in developing fantasy worlds, such as the online gaming phenomenon, EverQuest®, and Snowblind Studios' experience building high-quality action RPGs, Champions of Norrath sets new standards in the genre. Champions of Norrath features thousands of items, weapons and spells, unparalleled character customization, randomly generated dungeons that create a different and unique gameplay experience with each adventure, and a detailed 3D engine with multiple camera angles.

Champions of Norrath offers an online multiplayer component at no additional cost to players (Internet connection required for online multiplayer game modes, online connection fees are the responsibility of the user). Up to four players per game can adventure in Norrath over the Internet using the Network Adaptor for the PlayStation 2. Gamers will match up with fellow Norrathians from across North America through SOE's upcoming matchmaking service via modem or broadband connections. Alternately, players can also use the Multitap to play together on a single PlayStation 2.

About Champions of Norrath

Set several hundred years before the timeline of the current EverQuest PC game, Champions of Norrath allows gamers to adventure as one of five playable characters who must journey from the city of Faydwer into the wilds of Norrath to save the land from a gathering army of evil orcs and goblins. The game offers more than 100 hours of gameplay per character and unlimited battles, deadly missions and unmatched character customization.

  The game also features:

   -- Engrossing fantasy storyline set several hundred years before the
      before the current EverQuest PC game -- players do not need to be
      familiar with EQ lore to enjoy the game

   -- Five playable characters (both male and female): Select from Barbarian
      Warrior, Dark Elf Shadow Knight, High Elf Cleric, Erudite Wizard, Wood
      Elf Ranger

   -- Thousands of items and magical artifacts to acquire

   -- Create unique magic items by combining magical items with weapons and
      armor

   -- Randomly generated dungeons and monsters mean a different experience
      every time you play

   -- Unmatched character customization with modifiable hair, skin, tattoos
      and facial hair, hundreds of armor variations and thousands of
      distinctive weapons, including swords, maces, axes, bows and more

   -- More than 50 levels with non-linear side quests

   -- Four player multiplayer on a single PlayStation 2 with a Multitap

   -- Superior online multiplayer options for up to 4 players via Network
      Adaptor -- no additional subscription fees required (players must
      provide their own internet connection for online gameplay modes)

   -- Fully interactive 3D environments that push the PlayStation
      capabilities with stunning lighting and visual effects; capable of
      handling 30 to 40 characters on screen at once in spectacular battles

  For more information, visit http://www.championsofnorrath.com/ .

  About EverQuest

Developed and published by Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), EverQuest launched in 1999 and has since become both a gaming and cultural phenomenon. The game has sold more than 2 million copies while continuing to grow with award-winning expansions The Ruins of Kunark®, The Scars of Velious®, The Shadows of Luclin™, The Planes of Power™, and The Legacy of Ykesha™, making it the largest online 3D fantasy world ever created. During peak periods, more than 118,000 simultaneous adventurers have explored the fully detailed world of Norrath, filled with monsters, magic, adventure and more. The active global EverQuest subscriber base of more than 430,000 players is comprised of people from 40 different countries including North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Sony Online is committed to bringing EverQuest to various entertainment platforms, releasing titles such as EverQuest Online Adventures for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, EverQuest for the Pocket PC and EverQuest: Hero's Call for wireless phones. This Fall, SOE will launch the highly-anticipated sequel, EverQuest II, on PCs around the globe.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Digital Inc., is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with a subscriber base of over 500,000 active players around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises, EverQuest® and PlanetSide™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX and St. Louis, MO, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development such as Star Wars Galaxies™, Lords of EverQuest™ and the highly anticipated EverQuest® II.

EverQuest is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and PlanetSide is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011203/LAM002
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SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment Inc.

CONTACT: Tamara Sanderson, +1-858-577-3362, tsanderson@soe.sony.com, or
Chris Kramer, +1-858-577-3481, ckramer@soe.sony.com, both of Sony Online
Entertainment Inc.

Web site: http://www.championsofnorrath.com/

Web site: http://www.station.com/