Sony Online Entertainment's Fantasy Real-Time Strategy Game Lords of EverQuest™ Available Now

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), today announced that its fantasy Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game, Lords of EverQuest, is available now at U.S. and Canadian retail stores. Lords of EverQuest carries a suggested retail price of $49.99.

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

"Lords of EverQuest has the deep story line, exciting gameplay and vast armies that fans of the real-time strategy genre demand," said Michael Lustenberger, director of product marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "With our new SOEGames.net service, the game has just begun when the single player missions are over, as gamers go online to dominate their opponents and decide who will be the new king of RTS."

Set in the rich fantasy universe of EverQuest and featuring a deep and intricate plot centered around the fabled Lost Age, Lords of EverQuest delivers more than 75 hours of exciting single-player gameplay. With SOE's new SOEGames.net service, Lords of EverQuest offers free online multiplayer matches while bringing the award-winning magical realm of EverQuest to a new audience.

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

  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 750,000 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 Inc.