Sony Online Entertainment Announces PlayStation®3 Anticipated Launch Title Untold Legends™ Dark Kingdom™

- Dark Kingdom Takes the Top Selling Untold Legends Franchise to the Next Generation of Game Consoles -

PRNewswire
SAN DIEGO
03/15/2006

Sony Online Entertainment, a global leader in the online gaming industry announced today Untold Legends™ Dark Kingdom™ as an anticipated launch title for the PlayStation®3. SOE is the publisher and developer of the game, which will be the first foray of the best-selling Untold Legends brand onto the next generation of PlayStation game platforms.

"Dark Kingdom will set the standard for next-gen action-RPGs through high-definition graphics, brilliant SFX, 7.1 audio and physics-based gameplay for a completely immersive experience," said Michael Lustenberger, Vice President, Marketing. "Dark Kingdom will also feature online gameplay with the ability to adventure alone or with your friends through multiplayer modes as well as delivering content post launch through the PlayStation 3 system's online service."

Dark Kingdom will be utilizing the powerful PlayStation 3 Cell processors for unique physics-based game mechanics including audio, visual and FXs. Players will be able to fully interact with the environments by breaking or smashing objects, or even using NPCs as living, unwilling weapons. Players will choose from one of three unique characters and be able to unlock spells and abilities, as well as collect unique weapons, armor and other items throughout the game. Other next-gen features include support for high definition formats up to 1080p, highly detailed graphics, digital surround sound, high resolution textures and detailed character models.

For the epic storyline of Dark Kingdom, SOE engaged renowned fantasy author Keith Baker, writer of several best-selling Dungeons and Dragons and Star Wars novels. In Dark Kingdom, players have loyally served the king, yet have reason to believe he is being corrupted by dark forces. Sensing distrust, the king sends some of his military off to quell an uprising in the barbaric borderlands. After returning home, players find the land a horribly changed place. It is revealed that the king is responsible for torturing and killing many innocent people, and now players must battle through forests, caverns, villages and the palace, all the while betraying the king in order to save the kingdom!

  Key features in Dark Kingdom include:

    *  Next-Gen HD Graphics: Experience next-gen graphics in true
       high-definition formats up to 1080p.  Watch as the fantasy unfolds
       through vibrant environments, beautifully rendered characters,
       highly-detailed creatures, and intense battles filled with engaging
       combat, magical spells and brilliant SFX.

    *  All-new RPG Action Combat: Unique physics-based game mechanics will
       give the heroes of Dark Kingdom the ability to tear through
       environments and defeat enemies in all-new ways.  Knock enemies
       against walls and watch them bounce to the ground.  Smash through
       crates, pillars and boxes to clear a way through the environment.  Or
       grab NPCs and use them as living, unwilling weapons.

    *  Epic storyline: Immerse yourself in an intriguing storyline as you
       seek to end an evil king's reign of oppression that he has bestowed
       upon your fellow citizens -- all told through in-game dialog and
       scripted cut sequences.

    *  Engaging combat: Take complete control of every battle by using
       chained melee attacks, or an array of spells and special abilities
       acquired along your journey.

    *  In-depth character progression: Choose from three distinctly
       different character\class combinations and unlock new spells and
       abilities as you adventure!  Collect hundreds of armor, weapons and
       other items that will aid your hero on their perilous journey!

    *  Co-op and internet modes: Adventure alone or with your friends with a
       full range of multiplayer support.

    *  Challenging puzzles: Solve environmental puzzles as you explore
       multiple levels of game play.

  For more information please visit www.uldarkkingdom.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.

SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and Untold Legends and Dark Kingdom are trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This title is not yet concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment

CONTACT: Katie Uhlman, +1-858-577-3167, kuhlman@soe.sony.com, or Chris
Kramer, +1-858-577-3481, ckramer@soe.sony.com, both of Sony Online
Entertainment

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