"Lord British" Returns to the World of Online Gaming in Lineage: The Blood Pledge

Richard Garriott to introduce his famous online persona into the most popular subscription-based online game in the world

AUSTIN, Texas, November 26, 2001- NCsoft Corporation, the world's largest independent online game company, today announced the most famous character in the history of online gaming, "Lord British," will be returning to the realm of online gaming as a character in Lineage: The Blood Pledge. Lord British, Richard Garriott's alter ego from the popular Ultima Online series of games, will be introduced into the world of Lineage beginning today. The character will interact with players and participate in advancing the Lineage storyline during the next four weeks. With more than three-million subscribers and 250-thousand concurrent users, Lineage is the leading worldwide subscription-based online game.

Each week, players will be encouraged to create, outfit and train their Lineage characters in preparation for a special "castle siege" that will be led by "Lord British." Castle sieges are a unique feature of Lineage and allow for hundreds of players to form "Blood Pledge" alliances and then gather to lay siege to powerful castles in an ongoing epic struggle against the anti-king, the ruler that holds the throne of Aden in his clutches.

In addition to castle sieges, players will be able to participate in special quests, battle unique monsters and join forces with "Lord British." At the end of the four week event, the most skilled and talented Blood Pledge will win control of the newest castle in the Lineage game world, and all of the rights that come with that ownership.

"Lord British is the most well-known and popular figure in online gaming, and Lineage presented a perfect venue for bringing him back to the millions of online gamers around the world," said Richard Garriott, executive producer for NCsoft Austin. "During the next four weeks players will have the opportunity to embark on exciting new adventures with Lord British."

Gamers new to Lineage will receive a 30-day free trial. After the trial period, players are charged US$15 per month. Players can save money by purchasing four months at a rate of US$11.25 per month. An Internet connection is required to play Lineage. 

Creating a character is quick and easy. Immediately jump into the game and learn the ropes in a Lineage new player area where players quickly level up and learn the basics in preparation for the adventures and perils that lie ahead.  Lineage's easy-to-use Diablo-style interface makes navigation and combat a breeze.

And unlike other subscription-based games, Lineage offers FREE updates that expand the game world to exotic new lands filled with fierce creatures. Subscribed customers will receive future CDs free as part of the service. The Lineage Web site has helpful information about playing the game and also includes online manuals, account management tools, news, game support areas and community message boards.

About NCsoft Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, NCsoft is the world's largest independent online game company. Established in 1997 as a systems integration company, NCsoft has leaped to become Korea's and the world's leading online game software company. In Korea, its blockbuster hit game Lineage: The Blood Pledge commands a 47% market share and attracts the greatest number of concurrent users in the world. NCsoft is a public company and is traded on the KOSDAQ Korean stock exchange.

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NCsoft and Lineage: The Blood Pledge are trademarks of NCsoft Corp. Lord British is a trademark of Richard Garriott. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.