NCsoft launches City of Heroes Second Free Expansion with Capes and Monsters Run Amok Update offers heroes costume effects, all new villains and zones and a global invasion by creatures from another dimension Austin, TEXAS, Sept. 16, 2004 —NCsoft ® Corporation, the world's leading developer and publisher of online computer games and Cryptic Studios TM have released the second update to the best selling and critically acclaimed City of Heroes TM massively multiplayer game, Issue 2: A Shadow of the Past . This expansion, which is provided automatically to all of the game's subscribers, launches today with an invasion of monsters from another dimension that will last several days and will require the services of all available heroes throughout Paragon City. While the invasion marks the release of the new update, A Shadow of the Past also provides capes for heroes who have reached level 20 in the game. Capes are one of the most anticipated features for City of Heroes players. Heroes at level 24 will also be able to adjust their super powers in a special mission in the Terra Volta trial zone. Players at level 30 can also receive new visual effects such as auras, and all heroes can earn badges for major accomplishments in Paragon City. With adjusted powers, new capes, badges and effects, the heroes of Paragon City will immediately have to fight off an invasion of hosts from the Shadow Shard, one of two new zones added to City of Heroes in this expansion. The invasion will be marked by destructible dimension gateway rifts that appear at random in every Paragon City zone. From these zones new monsters will appear from the dark dimension of the Shadow Shard. All heroes, regardless of their level, can participate in fighting off the invasion. “Fans of City of Heroes are going to get a kick out of this new update because it has so much for everyone,” said Jack Emmert , lead designer of City of Heroes and creative director at Cryptic Studios. “Our players aren't just going to get new capes, badges and effects and go on with business as usual. They will immediately be able to show off their new looks in a global battle with never-before-seen monsters from another dimension. We think this raises the bar for MMO expansions.” In addition to the Shadow Shard zone, a new hazard zone, the Hollows, has been established for players at levels 5 to 15. Occupying the Hollows is another new group of stone and fire enemies called Magmites and Pumicites. “Between the first and second updates, we have added eight new zones,” Emmert said. “This now makes Paragon City nearly the size of Manhattan and the addition of Hollows gives new content to those players relatively new to City of Heroes.” A Shadow of the Past also includes many other new features, including new trial missions in Terra Volta, Eden and in the caverns of the Hollows. The update also includes many “quality of life” improvements such as user interface changes to the sidekick system, viewing inventory, trading, group seek, e-mail notification and teleportation/resurrection powers. Another feature is a new chat system which provides communication across servers and allows players to create custom chat channels. City of Heroes is available at most North American computer game retail outlets at a suggested retail price of US$49.99, which includes the first month of online game play. After the first month, players will be charged a monthly subscription fee of US$14.95. Sixty-day game time cards are also available at many North American retailers for a suggested retail price of US$29.99. The game is rated Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. For complete details on Issue 2: A Shadow of the Past , visit http://www.cityofheroes.com/features_update2.html . About NCsoft – North America NCsoft - North America (NC-NA) is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is part of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation. NC-NA, with development and administrative offices in Texas and California, launched two ground-breaking titles in the first half of 2004, Lineage II and City of Heroes. The company also works with NCsoft subsidiaries and third party developers throughout North America to develop and publish innovative online entertainment software products. More information about NCsoft – North America can be found at http://www.PlayNC.com. About Cryptic Studios Cryptic Studios, Inc., located in San Jose, California, was established in July of 2000 and is an independent developer of massively multiplayer online games for the PC and next generation consoles. Its first game, City of Heroes, launched in April 2004. The game takes place in a virtual world where thousands of people play simultaneously, take on the role of super-powered heroes, fight villains and help create a dynamic story in a visually-stunning, 3-D graphical world. ### NCsoft, the interlocking NC logo and all associated NCsoft logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. City of Heroes is a trademark of Cryptic Studios, Inc. and NCsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.