Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced that Champions: Return to Arms, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Action/RPG, Champions of Norrath, has shipped to North American retail stores. Champions: Return to Arms, available exclusively on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, carries a suggested retail price of $49.99.
"Our main focus when developing Return to Arms was to create an experience that fans of the Action/RPG genre would enjoy, while introducing innovative gameplay features to excite fans of the best-selling Champions of Norrath," said Michael Lustenberger, vice president of marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Two new races, stunning 3D environments, a whole new storyline and a tremendous amount of new content, thrilling, heart-pounding action awaits gamers everywhere."
Champions: Return to Arms combines the creative talent of Snowblind Studios with SOE's expertise in developing fantasy worlds to create a unique visual style, immersive storylines, and highly interactive environments. Champions: Return to Arms introduces two new playable races, more character customization options, thousands of items, weapons and spells, beautifully detailed environments, the ability to import characters from the original game, a whole new storyline, an innovative medal system which unlocks secret gameplay modes, competitive play for both online and offline modes and much more.
Champions: Return to Arms offers an online multiplayer component for no additional cost to players (players are responsible for providing a broadband internet connection and PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor for online play). Up to four players per game can adventure in Norrath via their broadband internet connection, using the PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor (sold separately). Players have the freedom to join an existing game or host their own through SOE's matchmaking service, SOEGames.net. Champions: Return to Arms has both USB headset voice and keyboard chat support, allowing players to plan strategies during online play (USB headset/keyboard optional, each sold separately). Alternately, up to four players can use the Multitap (sold separately) to play together on a single PlayStation 2.