Sony Online Entertainment Launches Omens Of War™ Expansion For EverQuest®

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced that EverQuest®: Omens of War™, a new expansion for the incredibly popular PC Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), EverQuest®, is now available. This expansion takes advantage of a new, next-generation graphics engine that allows players to experience the new areas of the game in unprecedented graphical splendor. EverQuest: Omens of War is available at retail and for digital download from Sony Online Entertainment for $29.99.

"Our subscribers will be very impressed with the new look and feel that this expansion brings to the world of EverQuest," said Michael Lustenberger, vice president of marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "The EQ team has done an exceptional job with Omens by taking advantage of new technology to make our game look better than ever before while the new gameplay elements add fun for both new and long-time players."

EverQuest: Omens of War offers fantastic adventures set in the battle-torn lands of Discord. Players will face overwhelming danger in the Bloodfields, explore the war-torn levels of The Nobles' Causeway, and discover ancient mysteries as they venture deep into the heart of the Muramite empire. Omens of War will allow players to adventure solo, in groups, and in multiple player raids to complete "Epic Quests" and earn powerful new Epic weapons to assist them in their battles. All-new character levels, items, spells, and quests will challenge the most veteran of players, while a new task system will offer players faster-paced gameplay options and an easier way to gain experience and in-game currency.

Omens of War takes full advantage of the all-new graphics engine, showcasing new zones in extraordinary detail and brilliance. The new graphics engine will allow players to view new non-player characters and zones in superior detail, as well as providing further effects such as enhanced weather, water, sky and particle effects, and a higher-quality lighting system. While this new engine is already available to current EverQuest players, Omens of War will be the first expansion to take advantage of the new features, giving a whole new look to the game.

About EverQuest: Omens of War

Omens of War directs players to venture into another realm under the dark influence of Discord -- a world torn apart and ravaged by conflict. The tyrannical Muramites, led by the evil Mata Muram, are preparing for war, building the ultimate invasion army to dominate the entire world. It's up to the citizens of Norrath to uncover the secrets of this new realm and save the lands from impending darkness. Omens of War includes the following features:

   *  Rich new zones with detailed environments featuring expanded graphical
      elements, improved spell effects and all-new, graphically-improved
      monsters to fight.
   *  The ability to develop characters beyond level 65, unlocking new
      innovative items, powerful spells, and thrilling quests.
   *  All-new specialized and incredibly powerful Epic Weapons that come
      from the completion of the 16 class-specific Epic Quests.  New Epic
      Quests will challenge even the toughest and most experienced
      Norrathians, as they journey alone and in groups to win these valuable
      items.
   *  An enhanced guild tribute system that allows players to turn loot into
      favor points for their entire guild to use.
   *  A new task system that allows characters to advance at their own pace
      by completing exciting adventures.
   *  All-new Custom Player Character Titles to be earned for each
      character's name.
   *  New Alternate Advancement abilities that can add a new spell slot. For
      the first time in more than 5 years, casters will be able to ready
      more than 8 spells at a time.
   *  Additional buff slots, available through the purchase of new AA's,
      which will open up more room for beneficial spells.
   *  New voice macro system will allow a player to send voice messages to
      his group letting them know vital information about his character's
      status.
   *  New disciplines, AA's, items spells, quests and tradeskills, which
      continue to make EverQuest the most compelling and persistent online
      world ever created!

The new expansion will be downloadable via the EverQuest launch pad for $29.99. Additionally, retailers will be offering a boxed version that will carry a suggested retail price of $29.99 and includes both a special in-box item and in-game item. For more information on Omens of War, please visit: http://www.omensofwar.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™, The Legacy of Ykesha™, Lost Dungeons of Norrath™ and Gates of Discord™, 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. 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 plans to launch the highly-anticipated 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 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.

For further information, please 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.

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.omensofwar.com/