12 Million Registered Players Take Their Summer Break in Sony Online Entertainment's Free Realms(TM)!

SAN DIEGO, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment's family-friendly virtual world, Free Realms™ (www.FreeRealms.com), announced its 12 millionth registered user just after the kick-off of its in-game virtual Summer Camp.

"Our players wanted a summer of fun in Free Realms, so that's what we've provided. With new items, jobs and quests being added to the virtual world, there are more ways than ever to explore Free Realms," said John Smedley, president of SOE.  "Our continued innovation and consistent player engagement have built an incredible forward momentum to take Free Realms into its second year, and beyond."

Summer Camp, which officially started June 7, is anything but limited to camp activities and is going strong with weekly summer themes, in addition to new items and features that are regularly being added to the game world. Players can grab everything they need for a great day in Seaside with the beach chair, beach umbrella, above ground pool, lifeguard tower and volleyball net, all of which are now available in the Free Realms Marketplace.

In celebration of World Cup Soccer, today the reverse-color Soccer Ball pet is available. The Snowhill Playground is also officially open for adventurers to explore. Players that make it to the top of the fall-away block staircase will find a treasure chest worth 100 coins! Moving platforms, which are housing blocks that move in different directions, Tiger Rides and surfboards will be available soon.

Join the in-game action for the Barefoot Bash, today, June 24, at 3p.m. PDT and tomorrow, June 25, at 9a.m. PDT. Players can head straight to the party through their in-game calendar.

To celebrate Fourth of July weekend, SOE is running a Double Station Cash Weekend where players can purchase Station Cash™ cards, excluding Starter Cards, from local retailers, which can be redeemed from Friday, July 2 at 12p.m. PDT to Monday, July 5 at 12a.m. PDT for double their value in Station Cash, which can be used to buy virtual goodies or upgrade to a Membership status in the game.  Also, for those who have wanted to see what the buzz is all about, SOE is offering a free trial membership all weekend long. All players will have access to the membership content during the trial period and at the end of the weekend, players will have the option to keep their member status through a variety of multi-month membership payment options.

Free Realms offers an array of quests, activities and minigames to keep players entertained. From ninja fighting to kart racing to raising pets, Free Realms offers a safe, family-friendly environment to connect with old and new friends. Free Realms is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up with content descriptors of Crude Humor and Fantasy Violence. To play Free Realms, visit: www.FreeRealms.com.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games which have entertained millions of players around the globe. SOE creates and delivers compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchise EverQuest®, its successful online trading card game Legends of Norrath®, as well as the recent kids' phenomenon Free Realms™, SOE continues to raise the bar for online gaming and players worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, with additional studios in Austin, Seattle, Denver and Tucson, SOE has a slate of engaging, high-quality games currently in development across new genres for all platforms and audiences.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Free Realms and Legends of Norrath are trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC.

All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Sony Online Entertainment