NEW YORK and SAN DIEGO, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Quest for Antonia" begins May 17th when Stuff Magazine and Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, launch a nationwide search for the woman who most resembles the electrifying video game heroine, Antonia Bayle, from the incredibly popular online video game EverQuest(R) II. The Quest begins online on May 17 and culminates in a final pageant in Las Vegas, NV, on August 13.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050513/LAFRU5 )

Women, who think they look the part of Antonia, are encouraged to submit photos online at http://www.questforantonia.com/ from May 17, 2005 to July 12, 2005. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and a legal U.S. resident. Online voting by the public will determine a semi-finalists group, from which five finalists will be flown, all-expenses-paid, to Las Vegas for the star-studded Stuff Magazine Casino Weekend 4 party extravaganza.

This is the first-ever nationwide model search with the goal of finding a woman who looks like an online video game character. Once discovered, the new Antonia will be offered a one-year modeling contract with Sony Online, a photo layout in the pages of Stuff Magazine, and other prizes. The winner will be announced at Stuff Magazine's Casino Weekend 4 at the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in August in a pageant-style competition complete with a swimsuit contest and interview portion that is expected to be judged by celebrities, Stuff's editorial staff and SOE representatives.

For official rules and photo submission guidelines, go to http://www.questforantonia.com/.

About EverQuest II

EverQuest II is the next generation of massively multiplayer gaming, a huge online world where thousands of players come together for adventure and community. Featuring breathtaking graphics and a vast, beautiful game world to explore, as well as voices for almost all non-player characters, EverQuest II sets new standards in gameplay and immersion. EverQuest II brings players into its world with a powerful epic storyline and gives them the power to be the hero or villain in their personal adventure. Players will encounter hundreds of creatures as they travel across majestic landscapes of rolling hills, barren deserts, dense forests, and bustling cities. Thousands of items, hundreds of spells, and unlimited adventure await all who enter the world of EverQuest II. Actress Heather Graham provides the voice of the game's lead character, Antonia Bayle, the leader of the forces of all that is good.

ABOUT DENNIS PUBLISHING

Dennis Publishing, Inc. is a media company that publishes the two most successful modern men's lifestyle magazines in America -- Maxim (2.5 million rate base) and Stuff (1.3 million rate base) -- along with general interest music magazine Blender (Advertising Age's Launch of the Year/2005 Hit List), and The Week, a distillation of the week's most important news and opinion from the US and international media. Maxim, Stuff, Blender and The Week are registered trademarks of Felix Dennis. Maxim Radio is broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio on channel 145.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Digital Inc., is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with a subscriber base of over 800,000 active accounts around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises, EverQuest(R), EverQuest(R) II, Champions of Norrath(TM), and PlanetSide(R), as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies(TM): An Empire Divided(TM), SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, and Seattle, WA, SOE has an array of cutting-edge online games in development.

EverQuest is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SOE, the SOE logo and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Courtney Simmons of Sony Online Entertainment, +1-858-577-3335,
csimmons@soe.sony.com; or Scott Gorenstein of Susan Magrino Agency,
+1-212-957-3005 ext 203, sgorenstein@smapr.com, for Stuff

Web site: http://www.questforantonia.com/