Sony Online Entertainment Announces New Real-Time Strategy Game

April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment today announced Lords of EverQuest, the next-generation of Real-Time Strategy (RTS) gaming, marking the company's entrance into offline PC gaming. Inspired by the world of online gaming phenomenon EverQuest, Lords of EverQuest features an enthralling storyline drawing gamers to the land of Antonica as they control one of 15 Lords and manage massive armies in their quest for domination. Lords of EverQuest will set new standards for the traditional RTS genre with thousands of items, hundreds of spells, the ability for all units in the game to gain experience and abilities, and free online multiplayer options for up to 12 players per game. Lords of EverQuest is being developed by Rapid Eye Entertainment and published by Sony Online Entertainment, and is expected to ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores this fall.

"Lords of EverQuest blends the vast mythos and lore behind the EverQuest universe with innovative gameplay dynamics to create an RTS experience like no other," said Michael Lustenberger, director of product marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Fans of EverQuest and RTS gamers alike will find that Lords of EverQuest propels the genre to new heights as an unmatched RTS with RPG elements."

"Lords of EverQuest is a revolution in RTS gaming with a powerful 3D graphics engine, high-polygon characters, the opportunity for all units to grow, and an engrossing EverQuest related storyline," said Mark Caldwell, founder and president, Rapid Eye Entertainment. "Our goal is to create the new king in RTS gaming with the best gameplay, untouchable graphics, and some innovations that gamers will have to see to believe."

About Lords of EverQuest
Lords of EverQuest allows you to take command of one of 15 Lords from the dawn of Antonica and lead an army against your enemies in a race to claim a lost artifact. Featuring three different unique factions with which to do battle, and a beautiful game world filled with breathtaking environments, Lords of EverQuest challenges players to command over a hundred troops comprised of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Fiends and even Dragons! Battle squadrons of hungry kobolds, companies of bloodthirsty undead zombies, and armies of evil creatures as you learn powerful magic that can be used to fight, heal or grow, while building skills for the ultimate challenge. After the story is over, the game has just begun as players take the game online and play via Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming matchmaking service.

Lords of EverQuest also features:

• An epic story playable from three unique and different perspectives that involves over 75 hours of single player gameplay
• Three completely different factions, each with their own special units and strategies
• Hundreds of items and magical artifacts to arm troops with
• 36 challenging single player maps and dozens of multiplayer maps
• Take command of one of 15 different Lords
• Level up Lords and uncover even greater power as all units level up, gaining experience and abilities
• The ability to carry over key troops from mission to mission
• A spell and ability system with more than 125 unique properties
• Superior online multiplayer options for up to 12 players -- No subscription fee required
• State of the art custom 3D engine providing cutting-edge 3D graphics with more than 3 levels of zoom, 32 bit color and support for 1600x1200 resolution for superior detail

Source: Sony Online Entertainment Inc.

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