May 5^th, 2004 (12:00am) - Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online gaming, today announced Champions: Return to Arms, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Action/RPG, Champions of Norrath. Champions: Return to Arms, developed by Snowblind Studios (the creators of Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and developers Champions of Norrath) and published by Sony Online Entertainment, will be available exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system in the first quarter of 2005.

“Champions of Norrath was an incredible success and left PlayStation 2 gamers definitely wanting more,” said Donald Vercelli, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. “Champions: Return to Arms will build upon the progressive features of the first edition with more single-player adventures, a deeper online and multiplayer experience, plus new characters, monsters, weapons and items.”

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 worlds. 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, innovative medal system which unlocks secret gameplay modes, more online and multiplayer options 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.

About Champions: Return to Arms

The Champions of Norrath have destroyed the god Innoruuk, shattering his body into shards of hate. Innoruuk’s followers and allies have taken it upon themselves to gather these shards in order to resurrect their fallen prince. Firiona Vie has called upon the champions to take up the crusade against evil to rid Norrath of this evil threat once and for all. The game is designed to offer more than 100 hours of gameplay per character, unlimited battles, deadly missions and the ability to import characters from the original game.

The game also features:
-Two new playable races
-The ability to import characters from the original game
-All-new and beautifully detailed environments
-Thousands of new items and magical artifacts to acquire
-Innovative medal system which unlocks secret gameplay modes
-More than 50 levels along with a mission menu containing non-linear side quests
-A host of new monsters to battle and non-player characters to encounter
-Continues the engrossing fantasy storyline of Champions of Norrath
-Multitap, 4 person multiplayer via LAN and online at SOEGames.net (players must provide their own internet connection)