Sony Online Entertainment Launches EverQuest®: Lost Dungeons of Norrath™

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, announced today that EverQuest®: Lost Dungeons of Norrath™, a new expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EverQuest®, is available on retail shelves today. The boxed retail version will contain both a collectible "in-box" gift (while supplies last) as well as a magical "in-game" item and will carry the suggested retail price of $29.99. Additionally, a digital version is available for secure download at www.everquest.com for $27.99.

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

"With Lost Dungeons of Norrath, we're emphasizing the classic 'dungeon crawl' game play element in the world of EverQuest," said Michael Lustenberger, director of product marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "This is our largest expansion to date, offering players a new way to experience the world of Norrath with personal adventures, massive dungeons and a unique reward system that's sure to please our most hard-core fans."

EverQuest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath will focus on the exploration of more than forty dynamic dungeons, with the main emphasis being placed on single group and Raid style content. New technology and design ideas have been implemented that will allow players to work their way through dungeons individually tailored to the strength of their group.

The overarching EverQuest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath storyline continues from Broken Skull Rock (an area from the previous EQ extension, The Legacy of Ykesha), as explorers venture into the previously unexplored depths of Norrath's Dungeons. The discovery of once forgotten dungeons, artifacts, and power has set Norrath's competing factions in motion. Legendary dungeons filled with undiscovered horrors, items, and fame are waiting to be found. Players of all levels will discover diverse environments that cater to the wide range of play styles.

About Lost Dungeons of Norrath

Just when you thought you'd covered it all -- five massive continents, the moon, and the homes of the gods themselves -- a new series of adventures leads you into some of Norrath's greatest sources of speculation and mystery. The story that began in Broken Skull Rock now yields new clues about an event threatening to change the face of Norrath. Assist a band of adventurers on their quest to unearth long-hidden artifacts of power from forgotten dungeons, secret catacombs, and long-buried ruins. A mystery is unfolding and a new age of exploration and adventure has begun! Lost Dungeons of Norrath also features:

   *  Explore 48 distinct zones. 19 more than any previous expansion!
   *  Experience personal group encounters without interruption from other
      players
   *  Enjoy the excitement of "dungeon crawls" that are tailored to
      challenge your group
   *  Raid adventures provide exciting new battles for up to 36 players
   *  Discover new environments, items and interactive objects for the hardy
      adventurer
   *  New augmentations allow you to customize your equipment like never
      before
   *  Encounter a host of new challenging monsters and NPCs
   *  Reap the benefits of your adventures with an all-new reward system
      that puts the choice in your hands
   *  New tradeskill recipes to produce hundreds of new items
   *  Unearth arcane new spells, mighty weapons and other hidden treasures!

For more information on Lost Dungeons of Norrath, please visit: http://www.lostdungeonsofnorrath.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. In 2004, 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™, as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies™: An Empire Divided™, 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.

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.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011203/LAM002
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

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

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

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