Sony Online Entertainment Makes Players an Offer They Can't Refuse With Lords of EverQuest™

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, today announced unprecedented incentives for EverQuest players who purchase Lords of EverQuest, its forthcoming fantasy Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game. Players who purchase Lords of EverQuest and register the game on SOEGames.net (using their EverQuest account) before 11:59 p.m. PST on January 3, 2004 will be eligible for a special phase of the EverQuest II beta. Additionally, current EverQuest players can receive an extra 30 days added on to the end of their current EverQuest subscription by participating in this promotion (see details below). Lords of EverQuest is expected to ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores on December 2, 2003.

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

"These special Lords of EverQuest promotions offer a unique value for EverQuest gamers to experience cross-genre entertainment," said Michael Lustenberger, director of product marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Anyone wanting to ensure that their copy of the game is available on launch day is strongly encouraged to pre-order today because quantities will be limited."

In order to participate in the special phase of the EverQuest II beta (tentatively scheduled for Spring 2004), players must have an active EverQuest account throughout the special phase of EverQuest II beta. Players who purchase Lords of EverQuest will find an offer inside the box outlining all of the terms and conditions, as well as complete instructions on how to take advantage of this unprecedented offer.

As an added incentive, gamers can receive a bonus CD containing three elite multiplayer characters and three single player maps not included in the game (while supplies last), if they pre-order Lords of EverQuest from one of SOE's retail partners including Best Buy ( www.BestBuy.com ), Electronics Boutique ( www.ebgames.com ), Fry's Electronics ( www.Frys.com ), Game Stop ( www.GameStop.com ), Media Play ( www.mediaplay.com ), or via the Sony Station Store ( www.Station.com ).

About Lords of EverQuest

Inspired by the world of online gaming phenomenon EverQuest, Lords of EverQuest features an enthralling storyline drawing gamers to the land of Antonica as they control one of 15 Lords and manage massive armies in their quest for domination. Lords of EverQuest will set new standards for the RTS genre with hundreds of items, spells, the ability for all units in the game to gain experience and abilities, and online multiplayer options (Internet connection required for online multiplayer game modes, online connection fees are the responsibility of the user) for up to 12 players per game via Sony Online's forthcoming SOEGames.net service.

With three different unique factions with which to do battle and a beautiful game world filled with breathtaking environments, Lords of EverQuest challenges players to command armies comprised of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Fiends and even Drakes as they shape the past of the EverQuest universe. Lords of EverQuest also features:

   *  An epic story playable from three unique and different perspectives
      that involves over 75 hours of single player gameplay

   *  Three completely different factions, each with their own special units
      and strategies

   *  Hundreds of items and magical artifacts to arm troops with

   *  36 challenging single player maps and dozens of multiplayer maps

   *  Take command of one of 15 different Lords, each with unique spells and
      abilities which become more powerful as they gain experience

   *  Level up Lords and uncover even greater power as all units level up,
      gaining experience and abilities

   *  The ability to carry over key troops from mission to mission

   *  A Spell and Ability system with more than 125 unique properties

   *  Superior online multiplayer options for up to 12 players through
      SOEGames.net -- No subscription fee required

   *  State of the art custom 3D engine providing cutting-edge 3D graphics
      with more than three levels of zoom, 32 bit color and support for
      1600x1200 resolution for superior detail

   Terms and Conditions of Offer

   *  Offer open to residents of US and Canada only

   *  Register Lords of EverQuest with an existing EverQuest account on
      SOEGames.net before 11:59 p.m. PST on January 3, 2004

   *  Your EverQuest account must be in good standing when you register
      Lords of EverQuest

   *  Your EverQuest account must be in good standing throughout the special
      phase of the EverQuest II beta

   *  You must sign and adhere to all of the terms of the EverQuest II Beta
      Agreement

   *  You must download the EverQuest II client when SOE makes it available;
      if you cannot and need to order disc(s), you will be responsible for
      all applicable shipping and handling charges

   *  One EverQuest subscription extension and one beta invitation per valid
      EverQuest account

   *  The "special phase" of the EverQuest II beta, for purposes of this
      offer, will be a beta phase that will be after the phase of beta for
      "Legends" subscribers, but will be prior to any "public" beta phase

  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: Sean Kauppinen, +1-858-577-3387, skauppinen@soe.sony.com , or
Chris Kramer, +1-858-577-3481, ckramer@soe.sony.com , both of Sony Online
Entertainment