SONY ONLINE
ENTERTAINMENT TO INTEGRATE XFIRE FEATURES IN
UNTOLD LEGENDS™ DARK
KINGDOM™
Xfire Empowers PlayStation®3 Computer Entertainment
System and
PC Game Players to Quickly
and Easily Find Friends and Chat Online
MENLO PARK, CA - October 11, 2006 – Five
million users strong, the Xfire online game community will soon be open to game
players on the PlayStation®3
computer entertainment system, with built-in Xfire features
available in Sony Online Entertainment LLC’s (SOE) upcoming PlayStation 3
title, Untold Legends™
Dark Kingdom™. Using Xfire
functionality, gamers will be able to track when friends are playing Dark Kingdom online as well as chat with
players on either a PC or a PlayStation 3. Xfire is
a division of Viacom Inc.’s (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) MTV Networks.
Dark Kingdom for the PlayStation 3
is scheduled to launch with Xfire’s friend tracking and chat
services. PlayStation 3
players connected to the Internet will be able to log in to
Xfire from the front end of Dark Kingdom,
which will give them notice when their friends log in to the Xfire network, as
well as allowing them to chat with their buddies while they play. The Xfire
services within Dark Kingdom will be
cross-platform, allowing friends to chat whether they are on a PlayStation 3
or a PC.
“Many of our PC game
players already use Xfire to find and play with their friends online,” said
John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment. “By integrating Xfire
features into our games we are able to strengthen our online community, making
it even easier for our players to
remain connected, whether they’re on a PC or a PLAYSTATION 3.”
“The opportunity to work
with the PLAYSTATION 3 is tremendous.
Many Xfire gamers and game publishers have been asking us about a
version of Xfire for console play for some time now,” said Mike Cassidy, CEO of
Xfire. “Working with SOE on one of their
highly anticipated PLAYSTATION 3 launch titles is a very exciting beginning for
Xfire’s new console game product.”
Untold Legends Dark
Kingdom will set the standard for next-gen action-RPGs by delivering an
immersive, fantasy experience through its high-definition graphics, dramatic
storyline, and action-packed battles filled
with heart-pounding combat, magical spells and brilliant visual effects. In addition, Dark Kingdom will deliver in-depth
character progression, online multiplayer gameplay and online game services
through PlayStation 3 online network. Players can choose one of three
unique characters to guide on a perilous journey of impossible odds, as they
immerse themselves in a fantastic world of beauty and terror, where only they
can end the long standing oppression of a tyrannical king. Collect and equip
powerful weapons, unique armor, and special items in order to slay the hordes
of monsters that have overrun the once-peaceful kingdom of Dureth.
Xfire
also announced that it has received a PLAYSTATION 3 Tools and Middleware
Development and License Agreement from Sony Computer Entertainment. This will allow Xfire to create for
PLAYSTATION 3 game developers an SDK that will enable certain Xfire
features. For example, Xfire's more than
5 million registered PC gamers will be able to see whenever their friends are
playing PLAYSTATION 3 games that incorporate the Xfire SDK.
Xfire is a free product
that is supported by advertising. In
addition to the many friend tracking and multiplayer communication services,
Xfire is also one of the largest hosts of online gaming events on the
Internet. Xfire and its advertisers
sponsor online events where members can play with pro gamers, join in online
chats with celebrities and participate in machinima contests involving their
favorite games.
About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony
Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively
multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the
globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the
personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its
blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®,
Untold Legends™, and PlanetSide®, as well as for
developing Star Wars Galaxies™, SOE
continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active
player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment
platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios
in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Taiwan, SOE has an array of
cutting-edge games in development. SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and
Sony Computer Entertainment America.
SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest and PlanetSide are
registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Untold Legends is a
trademark of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade
names are properties of their respective owners.
About
Xfire, Inc.
Xfire, Inc. is the fastest growing online gaming
platform and community in the world helping gamers to easily connect, chat and
play with their friends online. Xfire is a free service that allows gamers to
easily browse for game servers, chat with friends through IM and voice chat, as
well as download the latest updates and additions to their favorite games. With
five million members in over 100 countries, Xfire is an international community
connecting gamers across the globe. Xfire is a wholly owned subsidiary of MTV
Networks based in Menlo Park, CA.
MTV
Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B),
is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all
media platforms. MTV Networks, with more
than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television
programming services – MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON,
NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC,
LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of
13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV
Networks. MTV Networks connects with its
audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 100
interactive properties worldwide, including GameTrailers.com, IFILM, Neopets,
Xfire, Y2M, and online, broadband, wireless and interactive television
services. MTV Networks also has
licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its
programming services can be seen worldwide.
"PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION"
and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. Online access requires broadband Internet service and a
wireless access point or LAN. Certain
limitations apply to Wi-Fi connectivity.
User is responsible for Internet service fees.
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SOE Contact:
Katie
Uhlman | Sony Online Entertainment | (858) 577-3167 | kuhlman@soe.sony.com
Xfire Contacts:
Dana
Henry | Bender/Helper Impact | (310) 694-3130 | dana_henry@bhimpact.com
Karen
Raque | Bender/Helper Impact | (310) 694-3138 | karen_raque@bhimpact.com
