Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced that Champions of Norrath has gone gold. Champions of Norrath, available exclusively on the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, will ship to U.S. and Canadian retail stores on February 11, 2004.

"The wait is just about over for one of the most anticipated console games of 2004," said Michael Lustenberger, director of marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "With five playable characters, randomly generated dungeons, online co-op action with up to four players and relentless, non-stop action, Champions of Norrath offers an incredible gameplay experience for every type of gamer."

A combination of SOE’s expertise in developing fantasy worlds, such as the online gaming phenomenon, EverQuest(r), and Snowblind Studios'(developers of Baldur’s Gate(tm): Dark Alliance(tm)) experience building high-quality action RPGs, Champions of Norrath will set new standards in the genre. Champions of Norrath features thousands of items, weapons and spells, unparalleled character customization, randomly generated dungeons that create a different and unique gameplay experience with each adventure, online and offline cooperative multiplayer adventuring, and an amazingly detailed 3D engine with multiple camera angles.

Champions of Norrath offers an online multiplayer component at no additional cost to players (Internet connection required for online play. Online connection fees are the responsibility of the user). Up to four players per game can adventure in Norrath over the Internet via broadband connection using the Network Adaptor for the PlayStation 2. Players have the freedom to join an existing game, host their own game, or join/host a private game via SOE’s matchmaking service, SOEGames.net.