Sony Online Entertainment has announced that development on a sequel to last year's popular action RPG Champions of Norrath is underway at Snowblind Studios. Titled Champions: Return to Arms, the PlayStation 2 title will continue its prequel's story, as followers of the dark god Innoruuk resurrect him, prompting the champions to embark on another epic campaign against him. The game is said to feature more than 100 hours of gameplay per character, two new races as well as hundreds of new items. The four-player online mode will return, just like the offline multiplayer option using the PlayStation 2's multitap. Fans who have previously played Champions of Norrath can import their character, thereby gaining access to levels up to 80.

Champions: Return to Arms will be available in early 2005. The game will be exhibited at next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.

• GameSpot