Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) has set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for Most players online in a single FPS battle in PlanetSide®2, the critically-acclaimed, free-to-play massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS). As the authority of record-breaking achievement, this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® honor has further cemented PlanetSide 2 in history as a revolutionary massive scale FPS, while bringing to the forefront the game’s player community as among the most dedicated in the world of gaming.

“PlanetSide held the original record for this achievement and we’re thrilled to have officially taken it back with PlanetSide 2,” said David Carey, Producer, PlanetSide 2. “It’s truly the players that define the game and we’d like to extend a BIG congratulations to our players for reaching such an accomplishment nearly every night, as well as thank them for making PlanetSide 2 exactly the type of experience it was meant to be.”

The record was set on Jan. 24, 2015. SOE partnered with popular player-driven community PlanetSideBattles for an in-game battle on Hossin between all three PlanetSide 2 Empires (Terran Republic, Vanu Sovereignty and New Conglomerate) resulting in 1,158 players simultaneously in one instance via the game’s Jaeger competitive server. SOE unseated the previous record holder, Man vs. Machine, who had 999 players take action in game back in 2012.

“This amazing achievement shows not only how truly massive the PlanetSide 2 universe is, but also how inclusive its online community is,” said Annie Nguyen, Video Games Records Manager at Guinness World Records. “This title truly embodies the international, record-breaking spirit of Guinness World Records.”

1,158 is quite the feat indeed. It should be interesting to see how long it will take for another game to top SOE’s world record.

PlanetSide 2 is currently available for free on PC, with a PS4 version currently in closed Beta.

Learn more about the game at www.planetside2.com

H1Z1 is currently in Early Access on Steam. With a fully transparent approach to game design and development here at SOE, we want to transform the way our players interact and participate with our games. H1Z1 Early Access is your chance to experience and make a difference in H1Z1 as it evolves throughout the development process.

The H1Z1 development team will continue to create new features and may make significant changes based on the needs of the game. Those who choose to purchase Early Access should anticipate an evolving feature set, bugs, incomplete content, missing features, and potentially game breaking issues. Early Access is designed for those wishing to support the ongoing development of H1Z1 and be a part of shaping its future.

Enter a world that has been overrun by zombies and fellow survivors since the H1Z1 virus outbreak. Fight for your life against the infected and against the brutality of others as you attempt to live and see another day. Every moment is borrowed time with one question to answer… Will You Survive?

H1Z1 is set to release on Steam Early Access on January 15th, 2015 for PC. The game is also expected on Playstation 4. Learn more about the game at www.h1z1.com

PvE in Landmark has made its triumphant debut in our most recent update! Battle fearsome monsters, snag loot drops, and go spelunking in multi-level caves!

The highly anticipated addition of PvE content has finally arrived in the huge brand new update for the game. SOE’s Landmark is currently in closed beta, learn more about the game at http://www.landmarkthegame.com/founders-pack

If you’ve been patiently waiting for SOE’s DayZ killer, John Smedley has some really good news for you today.

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) today announced that the much anticipated post-apocalyptic zombie survival MMO, H1Z1, will be available via Steam Early Access on January 15, 2015 for $19.99 (USD). Additional details on Early Access can be found in SOE President John Smedley’s community post: http://www.reddit.com/r/h1z1/comments/2op00t/h1z1_early_access_release_date_january_15th_2015/.

Players can tune into the H1Z1 Twitch channel, http://www.twitch.tv/h1z1, for special AMA livestream today at 3:30 p.m. PST to learn more about Early Access.

H1Z1 is currently in development and scheduled for a Steam Early Access release on January 15th, 2015. Learn more about the game at H1Z1.com.

Everquest’s 21st expansion, The Darkened Sea, continues the “Year of EverQuest” celebration in honor of EverQuest’s 15th anniversary. The latest expansion for the classic MMO returns players to the lands of the Buried Sea. In The Darkened Sea, players will revisit familiar storylines and characters, and tread through both re-imagined areas and all new locales as they fight to return peace to Norrath.

Everquest II’s latest expansion, Altar of Malice, adds many new features to the now decade old game. Players will be able to explore the mysterious lands of The Shattered Seas.

The Shattered Seas is made up of two new overland zones, The Tranquil Sea and The Phantom Sea. Whether you enjoy grouping or playing solo, 15 new heroic zones and six advanced solo instances means that there’s a zone that will appeal to everyone! If you enjoy some friendly competition, there are also two new contested zones just waiting for some player action. Let’s take a closer look at some of the new zones available with this expansion!

In addition to the new zones, players and guilds will finally be able to reach level 100, a truly epic achievement. Finally, players will also gain access to a brand new playable race, the Aerakyn!

The Aerakyns are a new player race that features a variety of special customizations that include various horn types and a wide variety of colors for skin, scale, hair, and eyes. Special wing appearances, animated wing attacks, and a fiery racial trait help make the Aerakyn race stand out from the crowd. Such a wide selection of customizations means that you will be able to create a very unique character!

On top of the brand new expansions comprising of dozens of zones, hundreds of quests, and new level caps of 100 and 105, Everquest II celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. Originally released in 2004, Everquest II has a long and storied history that’s made it a fan favorite among raiders, questers, crafters, and player housing enthusiasts alike.

EQII 10th ANNIVERSARY QUICK FACTS:

• Christopher Lee and Heather Graham lent their voices to the inaugural launch trailer.
• EQII introduced the first robust Housing and Crafting system ever to grace an MMO.
• Emmy-award winning composer Laura Karpman composed the game’s original score.
• More than 1,000 voice actors, including Wil Wheaton and Minnie Driver, have brought life to the many characters of EverQuest II.
• Back in 2005, a simple, first ever in-game command (“/pizza”) allowed the denizens of EQII to order pizza directly from the game.

Bring out the hero in you for Halloween by following this easy make-up guide.

Learn more about SOE’s growing collection of games at www.soe.com

Can’t decide what to  be for Halloween? The folks at SOE have got you covered. Throughout this week, we’ll be highlighting a series of tutorials that will show you how to turn yourself into a character from your favorite SOE MMO. In the videos, makeup artists from KBZ FX special effects show the step-by-step process to become an H1Z1 zombie, Firiona Vie from EverQuest, a dark elf from EverQuest Next, a DC Universe Online inspired leopard, or a member of one of PlanetSide 2‘s Empires.

Bring out your inner Zombie this Halloween by following this easy make-up guide.

Learn more about SOE’s growing collection of games at www.soe.com

Bring out the PS2 soldier in you this Halloween by following this easy make-up guide.

Learn more about SOE’s growing collection of games at www.soe.com

Last year, Extra-Life raised more than 4 million dollars to help battle serious ailments like cancer and cystic fibrosis, and SOE is set to help them take that number even higher…

Whether it’s the team at SOE, or another of your favorite gaming personalities, all proceeds generated from Extra-Life will go to the Children’s Miracle Network. This annual event is about having fun playing (or watching those play) your favorite games, enjoying the camaraderie of gamers worldwide while raising money for those in need.

Those wishing to help out can do so in one of two ways:

• Join Team SOE Play it Forward, either individually or as a group, to raise money by taking on the 24-hour challenge directly at: http://www.extra-life.org/team/soe

• Or, sponsor the SOE team directly, as they “play it forward” and game for 24-hours straight, by donating