Ubi Soft to publish EverQuest® II and Lords of EverQuestTM in Europe

Ubi Soft and Sony Online Entertainment bring a completely new EverQuest® experience to European gamers

London – 3 June, 2003 – Ubi Soft® Entertainment, one of the world's largest video game publishers today announced that it will be the European publisher for the highly-anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game EverQuest II and the recently announced Lords of EverQuest real-time strategy (RTS) game from Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE). EverQuest II and Lords of Everquest are currently set for a worldwide release in Winter 2003/04.

"This agreement shows our commitment to further strengthen the already highly successful relationship that exists between Ubi Soft and SOE," says Alain Corre, Ubi Soft's Managing Director for Europe, the Asia Pacific region and South America. "EverQuest has become the most popular online RPG in the world, with over 450,000 monthly subscribers and EverQuest II is sure to continue that leadership position well into the future. As for Lords of EverQuest, it will be for the first time extending the powerful and deep universe of the EverQuest brand to a new genre."

"Sony Online Entertainment's brands continue to grow around the world and Ubi Soft will bring our games to the European market by offering EverQuest II and Lords of EverQuest in addition to EverQuest and PlanetSideTM," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. "Ubi Soft's expertise in the European region will be instrumental to the international success of the next generation of EverQuest titles."

EverQuest II is a parallel online universe to the hugely successful gaming phenomenon EverQuest. Featuring breathtaking graphics and a vast, beautiful game world to explore, EverQuest II sets new standards in graphical realism as players are immersed in the game's powerful epic storyline with thousands of players online. Based 500 years after EverQuest, EverQuest II is a new and different game experience in a changed world marred by a fantastic life changing event. Players enter this world by creating their own unique character from 16 races and 48 classes and using a powerful facial customization system for unprecedented player individuality.

Lords of EverQuest is the next-generation of Real-Time Strategy games, developed by Rapid Eye Entertainment. Inspired by the world of online gaming phenomenon EverQuest, Lords of EverQuest features an enthralling storyline drawing gamers to the land of Tunaria as they control one of 15 Lords and manage massive armies in their quest for domination. In both single and multiplayer modes, players can take command of one of three unique warring factions, massing armies, spells and special artifacts as they war for control over the continent of Antonica.