EverQuest®II Is Now Free-To-Play

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) EverQuest(®)II (EQII) is now free-to-play. Beginning today, all PC users will be able to freely download, install and launch the game without charge. Available free content includes the base game and all expansions up to and including EverQuest II Sentinel's Fate(®) as well as the brand new Freeport Reborn game update. The game's eighth overall expansion - Age of Discovery - is also now available for purchase as a digital download, and introduces the fan-favorite Beastlord class and Dungeon Maker feature!

"Since EverQuest II's introduction in 2004, our team's mission has been to deliver a continuous flow of rich content that is both engaging and accessible," said Dave Georgeson, executive producer of the EverQuest franchise. "The new membership system, game update and expansion are a direct response to our community interaction, and we're confident that this will take EverQuest II in an exciting new direction."

For EverQuest II players, there are now three membership levels: Free, Silver and Gold. Existing Platinum memberships will continue until they expire.

EVERQUEST II NEW MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN:

    --  Gold - Gold membership is available for $14.99 USD per month and
        provides access to 16 classes, 15 races, seven character slots, six bag
        slots per character, access to Legendary and Fabled equipment, and more.
    --  Silver - Any player who purchases the Silver Upgrade token for 500
        Station Cash (or $5 USD) will have fewer restrictions than "free" users.
        This level does not expire and includes all of the Free membership
        features plus additional features including character slots, bag slots,
        spell tiers, unlimited chat options and more.
    --  Free - All new players or "Bronze" level members from EverQuest II
        Extended will have two character slots to max out at level 90. Some game
        features will be restricted, including available races, bag slots, spell
        tiers, equipment grades and more.

A matrix detailing the three new EQII membership levels is available here: http://everquest2.com/free_to_play/game_overview.

The new membership system coincides with the launch of EverQuest II's 62(nd) overall game update - Freeport Reborn. Available for free to all players, the new game update follows an aftermath of violence and disorder in Freeport. Here, citizens are called to action by the returning Overlord Lucan D'Lere to help eliminate those who betrayed him, consolidate his hold on the city, and restore Freeport to its rightful place as Norrath's center of power. Transformed into a single zone with a convenient central commerce hub by the docks, the revamped Freeport features new quests at different levels that allow all players to assist the local citizens and learn more about the Freeport story.

Additionally today, Age of Discovery, EQII's eighth expansion is now available for purchase. Age of Discovery allows players to make their mark in-game with the Dungeon Maker feature, play as the EverQuest fan-favorite Beastlord class, and hire Mercenaries for help in their heroic battles. For more information on the Age of Discovery expansion pack, please visit: http://everquest2.com/.

Rated T for Teen by the ESRB with the content descriptors for suggestive themes and the use of alcohol and violence, EverQuest II: Age of Discovery is now available worldwide via digital download purchase on PC at the suggested price of $39.99 USD. The Collector's Edition, which includes several in-game bonus items, is available for $89.99 USD. EverQuest II: Age of Discovery is available for online purchase in North America at Amazon, GameStop, DL Gamer, Direct to Drive and additional participating video game retailers.

The previous expansion, EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious(®), is also available separately for purchase.

For more information about EverQuest II, visit http://everquest2.com/.

For press assets, including box art, trailers and screenshots, visit:

http://bhimpact.gamespress.com/product_page.asp?i=1135.

About SOE

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest(®), EverQuest(®) II, Champions of Norrath(®), PlanetSide(®), Free Realms(®),Clone Wars Adventures™ and DC Universe Online™, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms. SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of online worlds through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages. To learn more, visit www.soe.com.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Champions of Norrath, PlanetSide and Free Realms are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Sony Online Entertainment LLC

SOURCE: Sony Online Entertainment LLC

CONTACT: Amelia Lukiman, Sony Online Entertainment LLC, +1-858-577-3407, alukiman@soe.sony.com; Stacy Miles, Bender/Helper Impact, +1-415-847-4400, stacy_miles@bhimpact.com

Web Site: http://www.soe.com