EverQuest® Continues Success as 10th Expansion Launches Today

- EverQuest® Depths of Darkhollow™ Allows Players to Explore Exciting New Areas and Replay Old Favorites from the Eyes of a Monster -

PRNewswire
SAN DIEGO
09/14/2005

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced EverQuest® Depths of Darkhollow™, the latest expansion for the incredibly popular PC massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), EverQuest®. Depths of Darkhollow is now available at retail and for digital download from Sony Online Entertainment for the suggested retail price of U.S. $29.99.

"As the tenth expansion for EverQuest, Depths of Darkhollow is impressive in so many ways," said Chris Sturr, senior brand manager, Sony Online Entertainment. "The passion and dedication of the development team is clear as they continuously deliver triple-A expansion packs filled with innovative gameplay features and tons of new game content year after year. Continuing strong after six-and-a-half years, EverQuest is second to none with unparalleled success."

EverQuest Depths of Darkhollow will have players adventuring in raw, bleak caverns and facing the most formidable monsters yet. Featuring new lands with beautiful graphics, a bold new storyline, and fierce new creatures including Sporali, Clockwork Gnomes and the frightening Werewolves, EverQuest Depths of Darkhollow is the next great expansion pack for the fantasy adventure that is EverQuest. For the first time ever, players will have the ability to play as a monster and experience EverQuest lore first hand through the eyes of another character while they do battle against their ancient foes. Players will also utilize Spirit Shrouds to don the form of a lower level creature to join newbie friends in battle. EverQuest Depths of Darkhollow is bursting with new adventures and features for players of all levels.

The new expansion will be downloadable via the Station Store for U.S. $29.99 (plus tax where applicable). Retailers will be offering a boxed version that will carry a suggested retail price of $29.99, which includes exclusive post cards illustrated by world-renowned artist, Larry Elmore, as well as special in-game items for players to enjoy: a Clockwork Boar mount, and an in-game Gargoyle Spirit Shroud for their main character. For more information on EverQuest Depths of Darkhollow, please visit: www.depthsofdarkhollow.com

About EverQuest Depths of Darkhollow

On the surface, as the battle between Firiona Vie and Lanys T'Vyl continues to rage throughout the lands of Nektulos, an expedition of Qeynosian miners breached the barrier of Darkhollow. Now a new evil begins to emerge from the underground; far beneath the surface of Norrath. Join EverQuest® Depths of Darkhollow and journey into a world of immorality and devastation, a world that has existed purely as a vast wilderness filled with intelligent predators, destruction and disease. Go forth with courage as the terror that lies deep within these grounds must not be allowed to spread to the surface -- to Norrath.

In EverQuest Depths of Darkhollow, you'll venture through bleak caverns and face some of the most formidable monsters yet -- including new feral predators, spectacular underground environments and countless new missions, raids and events. By channeling the power of the ethereal world, you can shape Norrath's creatures by enveloping themselves in "Spirit Shrouds."

From floating wisps to menacing goblins, Norrath's creatures have unique abilities that players may call with this feature. For example, you can don the Spirit Shroud of an Orc to stand strong like a warrior against enemies or call upon the spirit of a Fairy and bring a healing touch to her party. If you choose to see the world from within an evil eye, great magical strikes can rain upon any foe. The more a Spirit Shroud is worn -- the more they grow with it -- unlocking powerful abilities and changes in appearance.

  Which creature of Norrath will you be?

  Features:

   *  Monster Missions: Play EverQuest as you never have before and see
      Norrath through the eyes of some of its fearsome and powerful
      creatures as you step into their form to do battle against their
      ancient foes!  Change into a creature with different abilities from
      your own to experience.  Experience EverQuest lore first hand through
      the eyes of another character in Monster Missions and unlock the
      ability to use more powerful monsters!
   *  Spirit Shrouds: Adventure with your friends of any levels.  Spirit
      Shrouds will allow you to play as a creature at any level below your
      own.  So don the form of a lower level creature and join your friends
      in battle while earning experience for your normal character!
   *  Evolving Items: Earn new items that advance as you use them, becoming
      more powerful over time and unlocking hidden abilities and wield
      intelligent items with a personality of their own!
   *  New Missions: Battle your way through over 60 new missions. New
      Creatures, New Environments and New Encounters: Over 30 unique
      creatures and 7 Zones, 15 Small Instances, with a re-envisioned
      Nektulos Forest.
   *  New Crafting, Spells, Items and More: New items and tradeskill
      recipes!  Also new spells and alternate advancement abilities!

  For more information, please visit www.depthsofdarkhollow.com.

  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 hundreds of thousands of subscribers 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 and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, 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, Seattle, WA, and Taiwan, 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. Untold Legends is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment Inc.

CONTACT: April M. Jones, Sr. PR Manager, +1-858-577-3387,
ajones@soe.sony.com, or Katie Uhlman, PR Manager, +1-858-577-3167,
kuhlman@soe.sony.com, both of Sony Online Entertainment

Web site: http://www.depthsofdarkhollow.com/