EverQuest II Sets New Standard in Multiplayer Online Gaming with Voiceover for Non-Player Characters

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, today announced that EverQuest II will be the first MMO game to feature voiceover for in-game Non-Player Characters (NPCs). The voiceover will be comprised of more than 130 hours of dialog and approximately 1.5 million words (the equivalent of more than 65 feature films worth of content). The addition of voiceover to the game adds a new dimension of realism to the MMO genre that is unmatched by the current generation of titles.

"Including voiceover for NPCs in EverQuest II is an incredibly ambitious project," said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. "Few publishers could even imagine undertaking such a huge project, but we're committed to taking EverQuest II to the next level. By giving our in-game characters voices for the first time in a massively multiplayer online environment, we are raising the bar for the genre as a whole, breaking down the boundaries between static, text-driven interface and meaningful, cinematic interaction."

EverQuest II will deliver a unique online gaming experience to players with a cast of more than 100 actors, including well-known Hollywood talent. Featuring nearly 100,000 lines spoken by thousands of characters, the voiceover project is a major undertaking that is sure to mark the beginning of a new era for the MMO genre.

After launch, SOE will continue to add new voiceover content whenever new quests are added to the game. Additionally, EverQuest II players will have the ability to choose whether or not they wish to hear the voiceovers, giving them maximum control over their individual level of immersion and system performance.

About EverQuest II

EverQuest II is the next generation of massively multiplayer gaming, a huge online world where thousands of players can come together for adventure and community. Featuring breathtaking graphics and a vast, beautiful game world to explore, EverQuest II sets the standard for graphical realism as players are immersed in the game's exciting locales and dangerous lands. EverQuest II brings players into its world with a powerful epic storyline and gives them the power to be the hero or villain in their personal adventure. Players enter this world by creating their own unique character, choosing from 16 races and 24 classes. Players will encounter hundreds of creatures as they travel across majestic landscapes of rolling hills, barren deserts, dense forests, and bustling cities. Thousands of items, hundreds of spells, and unlimited adventure await all who enter the world of EverQuest II. EverQuest II also features:

  *  A new, massive online world for thousands of players to explore, filled
     with danger, adventure and mystery
  *  Voices for almost every non-player character (NPC) in the game, a huge
     project encompassing nearly 100,000 lines and 130 hours of dialog (the
     equivalent of more than 65 feature films worth of content)
  *  Unparalleled character customization capabilities.  In addition to
     thousands of pieces of armor, weapons and items users can equip,
     players will be able to customize their character's facial appearance
     to an incredible level of detail and personalization
  *  16 races, 50 levels and 24 classes with a branching system that allows
     players to choose their class as they advance
  *  No race/class limitations, allowing players to truly choose who they
     want to be in game
  *  Player-owned real estate (such as apartments, homes, and guild houses)
  *  State-of-the art combat, spell and skill systems
  *  New user friendly game mechanics with reduced learning curve for both
     new and seasoned players
  *  Trade skills available to all player classes
  *  More than 160 unique creature types, from Orcs and Goblins to huge
     dragons and menacing Living Statues
  *  Incentives for current EverQuest subscribers
  *  A state-of-the-art, cinematic quality 3D graphics engine capable of
     improving as hardware technology advances

  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 accounts 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 an additional development studio in Austin, TX, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development.

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

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.