At next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in L.A., Sony Online Entertainment will be annoucing its new agenda and battleplan for dominating the online gaming market, starting with their groundbreaking line up of MMORPG titles. Strictly on the Everquest side of things, we'll be hearing about a new expansion for the popular PC series, EverQuest: The Planes of Power, as well as the long-awaited and much-anticipated sequel, aptly titled EverQuest II. Don't forget about Everquest Online Adventures either, SOE's new PS2 exclusive and the console's first massively mulitplayer game. They also plan to take MMORPG's in exciting new directions with PlanetSide and Star Wars: Galaxies, two very unique games unto themselves.

"SOE's goal has always been to bring gamers new content and dynamic communities," said Scott McDaniel, vice president of marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "By continuing to expand the types of games offered, we are driving the growth of the massively multiplayer market."

SOE also released the following information about these new titles, so wet your whistle and feast your eyes upon this:

EverQuest: The Planes of Power

EverQuest: The Planes of Power is the fourth installment in the best-selling, critically acclaimed EverQuest series. The new expansion pack, due to ship this fall, will introduce more than 430,000 current EverQuest gamers to an arching storyline that takes players on an epic adventure through The Planes of Power, home of the Gods of Norrath. Hundreds of new items, compelling quests and encounters with the most powerful deities in Norrath will keep even the most experienced players challenged and enthralled. For more information please visit the official Planes of Power Website at http://www.planesofpower.com/ . The Planes of Power will be available this Fall.

EverQuest II

EverQuest II, based on the original EverQuest, will give players an entirely new world to explore with a new 3D engine utilizing cutting-edge hardware technology. Offering unparalleled character customization capabilities, EverQuest II allows players to fully customize their character's faces, hair and body types. Other new features include player-owned real estate, player-controlled mounts, new quest system, mechanically and visually enhanced combat systems and a continued Norrathian storyline with new and familiar regions will further broaden the EverQuest universe. EverQuest II will be available in Fall 2003

EverQuest Online Adventures

EverQuest Online Adventures, one of the first U.S., online-only console games, brings the player interaction and community that made the original EverQuest so popular to a whole new audience of console gamers. EverQuest Online Adventures is a completely new game, designed from the ground up with the console player in mind. But like the original EverQuest, it will feature intricate character development, continuous player interaction and a strong sense of community to create an all-new phenomenon amongst PlayStation 2 system owners. EverQuest Online Adventures will connect seamlessly to the Internet, directing players to dedicated game servers helping to ensure low latency gameplay and fast connection times. EverQuest Online Adventures will be available in Spring 2003



Star Wars Galaxies

Star Wars Galaxies is the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the classic Star Wars universe. Star Wars Galaxies will feature dynamic role-playing and ground-based adventures across multiple planets. Gameplay will offer a unique combination of combat, exploration, social interaction, specialized missions, and daring quests. Star Wars Galaxies, published by LucasArts Entertainment Company and developed by Sony Online Entertainment, is expected to be available this December.

As always, stay tuned to RPGamer for more news on these and other exciting titles.