San Diego-based Sony Online Entertainment has announced Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest, a new 3D action RPG for the PlayStation 2. Developed by Snowblind Studios, the studio behind Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, the new title will be a single player title offering a free online multiplayer option. The game takes place several hundred years before the events of EverQuest and puts the player in charge of an adventurer, who has to travel from the city of Faydwer into Norrath to face an army of evil goblins and orcs. In the beginning, players can choose from among five characters: Barbarian Warrior, Dark Elf Shadow Knight, High Elf Cleric, Erudite Wizard, Wood Elf Ranger, and both genders are available for each. Furthermore, the game will let your customize your character's hair, skin, tattoos and facial hair. There will be hundreds of different armor variations and even more weapons to choose from. By combining magical items with armor or weapons, players can create unique magic items. Champions of Norrath's dungeons are randomly generated and more than 50 levels are waiting to be explored. Apart from the online mode, which will allow up to four players to team up (a PS2 network adaptor and an internet connection are obviously required for this mode), the title also supports the PlayStation 2's multitap, allowing for four players to play together on a single PS2.

Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest will be available in the US sometime this fall.