Love Is in the Air This Valentine's Day Within the World of EverQuest® II

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, today announced results of a recent Valentine's Day-themed poll of its user community. Over the past two weeks, Sony Online Entertainment quizzed the player population through its EverQuest II community site www.eq2players.com to find out what players feel are the most romantic spots, sexiest characters, and romantic gifts in EverQuest II. The results reveal a deeper, more romantic side of online gamers not often seen amongst the hundreds of thousands of players who spend their time questing through the online world of Norrath.

"When you put hundreds of thousands of people together in an exciting new world filled with action and adventure, it doesn't take too long before relationships blossom and thoughts turn from orc slaying to love," said Scott Hartsman, senior producer of EverQuest II, Sony Online Entertainment. "The social bonds formed between players are the biggest draw of our games and these surveys show that our subscribers are not just thinking about dungeon raids and magical tomes all the time."

Sexiest Race: According to 25% of the players surveyed, Dark Elves are the Sexiest Race in EverQuest II, with Wood Elves running a close second with 24% of the vote. Players found the giant, misshapen Ogres to be the least hot of the 15 selectable races available for players.

Most Romantic Archetype: Players voted Scouts as the most romantic archetype with 37% of the vote, "because they're skilled in the dark." Another 24% chose Priests because they "know about the healing," 14% liked Fighters "because they get up close and personal," and 13% said they liked Artisans because "they know how to put it all together." Only 13% of the responses chose the mystical Mage archetype, despite the fact that "they make you feel sparks."

Best Spouse Class: Druids topped the list of best class for a spouse with 25% of the vote, followed by Paladins, Wizards and Carpenters. Conjurers are apparently the least suited as spouses at 9% because of their affinity for "pets."

Best In-Game Gift: Lingerie was voted the most popular in-game gift that players would give if available with a staggering 45% of the vote. Another 16% chose a suit of red armor, 11% said flowers, and 10% said a comfortable bed. Surprisingly, candy, a Valentine's Day perennial favorite in the real world, garnered only 2% of the vote for best in-game gift.

Most Romantic Spot: The shore of Antonica at sunset must be the right place for love, since 50% of respondents voted it the most romantic spot in EverQuest II. The runner-up for most romantic spot was the Beach in the Enchanted Lands with 27% of the vote. Fishermen and sailors didn't fare as well; only 3% of the respondents found the entrance to Freeport harbor romantic.

Sony Online Entertainment also held a Valentine's Day "screenshot" contest on the EverQuest II website. The company challenged its 300,000 plus-strong EverQuest II player base to submit both funny and romantic images captured from the game, with prizes awarded to the winners. Hundreds of images were submitted to the company -- some of them being of a questionable romantic nature -- and the results will be posted to www.everquest2.com later today, before the Valentine's Day weekend begins.

Art and screenshots are available for all characters and classes upon request.

About EverQuest II

EverQuest II is the next generation of massively multiplayer gaming, a huge online world where thousands of players come together for adventure and community. Featuring breathtaking graphics and a vast, beautiful game world to explore, as well as voices for almost all non-player characters, EverQuest II sets new standards in gameplay and immersion. 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 most non-player characters (NPCs) in the game, a huge
      project encompassing more than 70,000 lines and 130 hours of dialog
   *  Unparalleled character customization capabilities.  In addition to
      thousands 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, dozens of levels and 24 classes with a branching system that
      allows players to choose their class as they advance
   *  Character-owned real estate (such as apartments, homes, and guild
      houses)
   *  No race/class combination limitations, allowing players to truly
      choose who they want to be in game
   *  New user friendly game mechanics with reduced learning curve for both
      new and seasoned players
   *  More than 160 unique creature types, from Orcs and Goblins to huge
      dragons and menacing Living Statues
   *  A state-of-the-art, cinematic quality 3D graphics engine capable of
      improving as hardware technology advances
   *  State-of-the art combat, spell and skill systems
   *  Trade skills available to all player classes

  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 800,000 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®, EverQuest® II 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 Seattle, WA, 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

CONTACT: Sean Kauppinen, +1-858-577-3387, skauppinen@soe.sony.com, or
Tamara Sanderson, +1-858-577-3362, tsanderson@soe.sony.com, both of Sony
Online Entertainment

Web site: http://www.eq2players.com/
http://www.everquest2.com/