Sony Online Entertainment to Introduce New EverQuest Servers in European Markets

Business Wire, August 31, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO and LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2001

Company Leads Online Gaming Market Internationally

With Localized Content and Expanded Payment Options

Continuing its international expansion in the pursuit of the first true global gaming community, Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and Ubi Soft announced today that EverQuest(R), the world's largest massively multiplayer online game, will be hosted on new servers in the European market.

Beginning this winter, Europe's most popular online game will be even more accessible and international gamers will be able to enjoy a localized EverQuest experience.

"We are committed to bringing online gaming to everyone, everywhere," said Kelly Flock, president, Sony Online Entertainment. "The roll out of our first European servers marks the beginning of our global initiatives and we are committed to continuing these efforts to meet the demands of our growing global community."

EverQuest already boasts more than 400,000 members across the world and is poised to grow as servers are deployed into new nations. With over 6 million online gamers in Europe alone, localized servers will offer lower latency for a heightened interactive experience for this growing market. The first overseas hub will launch in the U.K. this winter and additional servers will rollout as each market ripens.

Congruent with its international plans, the company recently announced that its premier online gaming site, The Station (www.station.com), with more than 10 million members worldwide, will roll out localized content and advanced translation software for premium games while offering new payment options to overseas customers. Through advanced translation software, players will enjoy in-game and Web chat even if they do not share a common language. Phase one of the localization process includes human translating agents for French, German, Japanese and Korean beginning with the upcoming expansion pack EverQuest(R): The Shadows of Luclin(TM). EverQuest(R) Game Cards(TM) are being made available around the world at retail giving the wider, cash-holding audience access to The Station's premium content including EverQuest and the upcoming PlanetSide(TM) and Star Wars(R) Galaxies(TM).

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), the online gaming division of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, is a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming. Headquartered in San Diego, SOE develops, publishes and distributes entertainment for the PC and online markets. With more than 10 million registered users, SOE's award-winning Web site, The Station(R) (www.station.com), hosts a variety of entertaining games and player communities spanning all genres. In addition to blockbuster hits EverQuest(R) and Jeopardy! Online, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development such as PlanetSide(TM), Star Wars(R) Galaxies(TM) and Sovereign(TM).