SAN DIEGO, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, today announced the forthcoming Adventure Packs for EverQuest II, a content release strategy intended to give players access to new content between traditional game expansions. The first Adventure Pack is scheduled for digital release in March 2005 for $4.99.
"Today we're announcing a new content strategy for EverQuest II that presents online games in an entirely new manner, like that of a television series, or serial movies," said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. "Players will be able to unlock ongoing storylines that appeal to them, while enabling us to deliver more content than ever before."

The planned content release strategy involves a mixture of purchasable bi-annual expansion packs along with periodic releases of story-driven Adventure Packs adding new content and gameplay elements to the world of Norrath, in addition to continued updates to the game at no additional charge. The first Adventure Pack will be centered on the Dark Elves of Neriak and an unbridled evil in the tombs below the surface of Norrath. The US version of the Adventure Pack will be available to European players as well at release in English, followed by localized versions.

Adventure Packs will feature new quests, zones, storylines and story arcs that will allow players to further immerse themselves in the shattered lands of Norrath. All players will have access to certain levels of the Adventure Packs; however in order to complete the content, players will need to purchase the Adventure Packs for a small fee. Additional details on the first Adventure Pack will be revealed in the coming weeks.