Everquest Celebrates 10-Year Milestone

March 16, 2009

EVERQUEST CELEBRATES 10-YEAR
MILESTONE

Sony Online Entertainment Honors
the Online Game with Yearlong Anniversary Activities and Announces Fan Faire
2009

An epic online adventure a decade in
the making, Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is proud to celebrate the
10-year anniversary of the launch of the groundbreaking 3-D fantasy-themed
massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), EverQuest®. Since its
release in 1999, EverQuest (EQ) has proved to be a monumental and inspirational
entertainment property, spawning 15 expansion packs and subsequent franchise
titles, introducing millions of players to the virtual world of Norrath, and
inspiring virtually every other MMORPG made.

EverQuest has earned many awards,
including the 1999 GameSpot “Game of the Year” and a 2008 Technology &
Engineering Emmy Award. The City of San Diego, where SOE is headquartered, has
also recognized March 16, 2009 as the official “Sony Online Entertainment Day”
due to its enormous contribution to both the city and the gaming industry.

“This year marks a major milestone
for SOE and the entire interactive entertainment industry,” said John Smedley,
president of Sony Online Entertainment. “While it was hard work and a dedicated
vision that brought EQ to fruition, without our loyal fans, EQ would not be the
game that it is today. This year’s Fan Faire will definitely celebrate our
players and their integral contribution to the EQ legacy!”

To further commemorate the 10th
anniversary of the EverQuest franchise, a number of events, both in-game and
“IRL” (in real life), are scheduled throughout the year:

Fan Faire Returns to Las Vegas,
June 25 – 28, 2009!

If you have never been to an SOE Fan
Faire before, this is the year to make the trek to Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas!
SOE is planning a big birthday bash for the EverQuest 10th anniversary, and
players of all SOE games are invited to join the party! Fan Faire is a great
place for SOE gamers to mix and mingle with each other, and meet some of the
faces behind their favorite SOE games. Here’s just a taste of some of the great
activities we’re planning:

Special announcements and sneak
peaks of upcoming SOE titles at the Third Annual Community Address from SOE
President John Smedley Autograph signings with members of the original EQ
development team and other key contributors Lots of in-game tournaments; and
live, game-themed competitions and quests Developer forums and roundtables Cool
giveaways and other fun items! And, that’s just the beginning! Visit the Fan
Faire website for more details at
www.soefanfaire.com
.  Tickets are expected to go on sale in April.

EQ In-Game Events

Party all the time! In celebration
of the anniversary, we are proud to bring you fresh EQ content for the next few
months! Solo, group or raid, there’s content for everyone to enjoy! Earn great
quest rewards, and show off your raiding skills on the Anniversary leaderboards.
Log in now to receive your piece of cake and see what other fun events are
planned. For more information on specific events, visit www.EQ10th.com.

Legends of Norrath In-Game Events

Starting Monday, March 16, log in to
Legends of Norrath (LoN) to check out their Anniversary Celebration Event! On
each day of the Anniversary week, one of two loot cards (one for EverQuest
players and one for EverQuest II players, depending upon your preference) from
that day’s release will be given out free to all EQ and EQII players who log in
to LoN. There will also be five daily events that honor the first five LoN
releases:

  • Monday, March 16 is Oathbound Day.

  • Tuesday, March 17 is Forsworn Day.

  • Wednesday, March 18 is Inquisitor
    Day.

  • Thursday, March 19 is Oathbreaker
    Day.

  • Friday, March 20 is Ethernauts
    Day.

For more information on specific
events, visit
www.legendsofnorrath.com

EverQuest: The 10th Anniversary
Collector’s Edition Book

EverQuest: The 10th Anniversary
Collector’s Edition celebrates EverQuest’s legacy by taking a look at the past,
present and future of the EverQuest brand. The book, written by veteran video
game book author Rusel DeMaria, includes essays by the developers, and
illustrations and artwork that has graced the world of Norrath throughout the
entire franchise’s history. Rich in vivid detail, each page tells the story of
the evolution and its place in our culture.

Be sure to check out the new
EverQuest 10th Anniversary site to read up on the history of EverQuest, find out
about 10th anniversary events, see where you stand on the Anniversary Raid
leaderboards, and find out when to register for Fan Faire! For more information,
visit www.EQ10th.com.