Sony Online Entertainment and Major League Gaming Partner to Bring PlanetSide®2 to Competitive Gaming

SAN DIEGO and NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), and Major League Gaming (MLG), the world's largest eSports league, today announced a robust partnership to introduce PlanetSide®2 to MLG's burgeoning competitive gaming audience. The year-long collaboration will span all of MLG's properties including original broadcast programming, online competition and presence at MLG events.

Over the next few months, the PlanetSide 2 and MLG teams will work closely to develop ideal competitive gameplay features and settings to showcase the massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS). With MLG's consult and significant community involvement, SOE has committed to creating a long-term eSports initiative within PlanetSide 2 that will highlight an exceptional massively multiplayer competitive gaming experience.

Additionally, SOE and MLG will collaborate to create original programming to air on the MLG network at www.majorleaguegaming.com and www.Twitch.tv/Team/MLG. Details and a complete broadcast schedule will be released in the coming weeks. PlanetSide 2 players around the globe will soon after be able to compete via MLG's GameBattles online competition site. Additionally, PlanetSide 2 gaming stations will be featured at MLG's first Pro Circuit event of 2013 – the Winter Championship in Dallas, Texas, from March 15-17.

"PlanetSide 2 players are extremely loyal to their chosen Empires and when it comes to battling, they are beyond competitive and truly enjoy the in-game rivalries, so it was the natural next step for us to bring PlanetSide 2 to the most competitive eSports organization," said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. "We're excited for this opportunity to work with MLG and are confident that their competitive gaming expertise can turn PlanetSide 2 into a premiere eSports platform, allowing us to extend the game experience and deliver new ways for players to interact with other players and the broader community, while  helping to further diversify and grow our audience."

"From the first time I played PlanetSide 2, I knew that it made sense for the MLG community," said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO and co-founder of Major League Gaming. "I am excited to introduce the game to our audience and to see how it evolves along with the growing and evolving eSports landscape."

Through the partnership, MLG and PlanetSide 2 fans will have greater access to the game through the community-driven programming, GameBattles and Pro Circuit event presence. Launched in November 2012, PlanetSide 2 is a free-to-play title that has set the new standard for first-person shooters. PlanetSide 2 offers an unparalleled gaming experience where players battle in massive environments alongside and against thousands of others engaging in intense air and ground combat that spans the alien planet of Auraxis. Players join one of three Empires – Terran Republic, New Conglomerate or Vanu Sovereignty – to fight in an epic war for ultimate control and territory domination. To play PlanetSide 2 now, visit: http://www.PlanetSide2.com.

ABOUT SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT:
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest^®, EverQuest^® II, Champions of Norrath^®, PlanetSide^®, Free Realms^®,Star Wars®: Clone Wars Adventures™, DC Universe™Online, and the recently launched PlanetSide^®2, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for a variety of platforms.  SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of online worlds through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages. To learn more, visit www.soe.com.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Champions of Norrath, PlanetSide, and Free Realms are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING:
Major League Gaming (MLG) (www.majorleaguegaming.com) is the world's largest eSports organization with millions of LIVE viewers, fans and competitors around the globe. MLG enables gamers to compete, improve their skills, and socialize via the largest online destination for competitive console and PC gaming featuring more than 8 million registered gamers, and the annual MLG Pro Circuit featuring LIVE, in-person tournaments in cities nationwide. MLG broadcasts competitive play, analysis and more via online streaming to hundreds of thousands of fans in an average of more than 170 countries.

SOURCE Sony Online Entertainment LLC; Major League Gaming