Feb 2, 2010

White Knight Chronicles International Editon Makes its North American Debut on PlayStation 3

An Unparalleled Role-Playing Game Experience Awaits Players Set in An Epic Fantasy Tale

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Feb. 2 -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today the release of White Knight Chronicles International Edition, available exclusively for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Created by Level-5, the critically acclaimed developers of Rogue Galaxy and the Dark Cloud series, White Knight Chronicles International Edition is an epic fantasy adventure set among visually stunning backdrops filled with colorful characters, unique gameplay mechanics, and deep online functionality. Following the game's successful launch in Japan, White Knight Chronicles International Edition has received significant feature enhancements including voice chat, Live Talk, Georama, and numerous online quests to deliver a sophisticated adventure for players of all gaming levels.

Unique to most RPGs, White Knight Chronicles International Edition has a three-pillar approach for the online gameplay features - GeoNet, Georama, and Quests. After completing Chapter 1, players will be able to unlock GeoNet, which will allow them to create a profile, post blogs, text message and make announcements. Using Georama, adventurers can create and customize their own towns and villages, create or purchase objects, offer shops and collectable items for visitors, as well as populate their towns or villages by inviting non-playable characters (NPCs) from the Story Mode. Quests allow players to have a shared profile with the Story Mode (level, skills, and equipment) as well as communicate with other players via text and voice chat to improve teamwork. As the story mode unfolds, players will unlock new quests, accumulate quest completion points to improve guild rank, and gain even more quests with better weapons and gear.

"Delivering an extensive set of online features along with stunning graphics and unique gameplay, White Knight Chronicles International Edition is the RPG experience North American players have been waiting for," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. "Since the Japanese launch of White Knight Chronicles, Level-5 has incorporated users' feedback to provide a host of improvements and bring the ultimate RPG adventure to PS3."

White Knight Chronicles International Edition is an epic fantasy tale about two kingdoms in midst of a longstanding war. Wishing to put an end to the war, the King of Balandor invites the Duke of Faria to celebrate his daughter's coming of age. However, the celebration is sabotaged by the Magi, a rogue sect seeking to take over the world by stealing the White Knight - an ancient weapon of war sealed beneath Balandor castle. During the ensuing chaos to save the princess, a young man named Leonard accidentally unlocks the power of the White Knight and manages to fend off the Magi attack, but not before they escape with the princess. With the help of his trusted companions, Leonard will travel throughout Balandor and beyond on a quest to save the princess before the Magi unlock other knights, which could trigger a calamity that could end the world.

In this epic fantasy tale, adventurers will explore the visually stunning world of White Knight Chronicles where they will engage in combat as the powerful White Knight. Using the extensive selection of sliders and customization options, players can create a unique character that can be used to play online or in single player mode. With accessible gameplay for players of any gaming level, the active turn-based battle system allows for straightforward attacks and fully customizable combo systems for maximum damage, White Knight Chronicles International Edition is a true, online RPG.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for White Knight Chronicles is "T" for "Teen." For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PS3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.