Gamers Help Save Endangered Cheetahs With the Launch of Sony Online Entertainment's Newest Facebook Game, Wildlife Refuge

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced Wildlife Refuge, a new game playable on Facebook that immerses players in the heart of Africa as they set out on a mission to help build a refuge and care for exotic animals.  In the game, players customize their own refuge as they discover new breeds and protect this habitat from poachers and other dangers that threaten their existence.  Wildlife Refuge also offers players the opportunity to make a difference in real life as SOE will donate a percentage of the proceeds generated from the sale of select virtual items to the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Cheetah Kids.  SOE will contribute half of the proceeds spent by players on Station Cash™ to purchase a Cheetah Statue to the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and half of the proceeds from Station Cash used by players to purchase a Baby Cheetah to Cheetah Kids.*

"Wildlife Refuge has so much to offer by way of educating players about endangered animals, and we're pleased to be able to translate that into real-life action by contributing to the Cheetah Conservation Fund and Cheetah Kids," said John Smedley, president of SOE. "The Cheetah Conservation Fund is one of the world's resources for protecting and ensuring a future for the cheetah, and Cheetah Kids helps educate and engage young people in understanding endangered species and their ecosystems using the cheetah as the educational ambassador.  With these collaborations, we're proud to contribute to causes while providing an engaging gaming experience."

Playable now on Facebook (http://apps.facebook.com/wildliferefuge), Wildlife Refuge takes players on exciting adventures as they complete quests to earn special rewards.  From exploring new territory and building their refuge, to sharing their animal offspring with friends, Wildlife Refuge brings all the fun of operating one's own wildlife sanctuary to Facebook.

Wildlife Refuge is a casual, social game based on a player's need to increase their Ecosystem Rating. Ecosystem Ratings are based on building, decorating and securing the refuge, exploring the safari, interacting with neighboring refuges and tending to the animals.  Players can compile collections, buy supplies and share achievements with friends in the game.

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 Legends of Norrath are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Free Realms and Station Cash are trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

About the Cheetah Conservation Fund

The Cheetah Conservation Fund's mission is to be the internationally recognized center of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems. The Cheetah Conservation Fund's vision is to see a world where cheetahs live and flourish. The Cheetah Conservation Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, #31-1726923. Cheetah Conservation Fund, PO Box 1755, Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Tel: +264 (0) 67 306 225, Fax: +264 (0) 67 306 247, Website: www.cheetah.org.

About Cheetah Kids

Cheetah Kids' mission is to educate and engage young people in understanding endangered species and their ecosystems using the cheetah as the educational ambassador. Cheetah Kids's vision is to educate young people about wildlife conservation and motivate them to act constructively to improve our world's environment. Cheetah Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit #26-1606009. Cheetah Kids, 3160 N. Amethyst Lane, Tucson, AZ, 85749, Tel: (520) 749-7878, Email: [email protected], Website: http://www.cheetahkids.com/.

*Purchases of Cheetah Statue and Baby Cheetah virtual items are not tax deductible. SOE's contributions to charities are made only on that portion of a purchase of a virtual item made with Station Cash purchased by players; any portion of a purchase made with promotional Station Cash does not apply. Station Cash is "virtual currency" used in many SOE games to purchase in-game virtual items. Station Cash is non-transferable, has no cash value, and is subject to SOE's terms of service. See www.soe.com/stationcash for details.

SOURCE Sony Online Entertainment LLC