Champions: Return to Arms Publishing Deal

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2004’s critically acclaimed Action/RPG Gets a sequel packed with new features, 2 new playable races and more online options

London, UK August 30th, 2004 Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers today announced that it will be the publisher in PAL territories for Champions: Return to ArmsTM, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Action/RPG, Champions of NorrathTM. Champions: Return to Arms, developed by Snowblind Studios (Baldur’s GateTM: Dark AllianceTM and Champions of NorrathTM) by Sony Online Entertainment, will be available exclusively for the PlayStation®2 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 John Smedley, president, 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 introduces two new playable races, a whole new non-linear storyline letting the playing chose to team both with the forces of Good or Evil, the ability to import characters from the original game, more character customization options with up to level 80 levelling, thousands of new items, weapons and spells, beautifully detailed environments, innovative medal system which unlocks secret gameplay modes, more online and multiplayer options and much more.

“Champions: Return to ArmsTM will be the very first Action/RPG to let player chose to fight either for Good or Evil,” says Florence Alibert, Ubisoft’s Marketing Director for Europe, the Asia Pacific region and South America. “With this added to the new non-linear mission system, the 7 playable races and the endless customization possibilities, Champions: Return to ArmsTM is bound to give players even more of what made Champions of NorrathTM a success: innovation, high role-playing depth and intense action-packed challenge”

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.