EverQuest II Battlegrounds to Launch on February 16th

Sony Online Entertainment fired over a press release this afternoon announcing that a new cross-server PvP element will be added to EverQuest II next week. And to make sure nobody gets confused, they've went with the tried-and-true naming convention of "Battlegrounds":
SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES EVERQUEST® II BATTLEGROUNDS

Regardless of Server, EQII Players Can Now Battle Each Other in a Variety of PvP Style Games

WHAT: On February 16, 2010 the long awaited introduction of battlegrounds is scheduled to arrive in EverQuest® II as a complimentary addition for current EQII subscribers with characters level 80-90. Battlegrounds allow players to engage in the most exciting and intense PvP battle against their friends or foes, regardless of server, and provide thrilling group-based, competitive matches in three all-new zones. Participants can quickly join the nonstop action in three different types of matches, with up to 48 players total. On the Battlegrounds there is a role for all, no matter the class, each player can support or lead the group to victory and reap the rewards of the all-new Chaos armor sets!

Additionally, EverQuest II players who login between Feb. 16, 2010 and Feb. 18, 2010 receive the Warrior of Chaos statue*!

ABOUT BATTLEGROUNDS: At launch the following three Battlegrounds are scheduled to be available for players to enjoy:

Battlefield of Ganak
'¢ Game Type: Capture the Flag
'¢ Players: 6 Person Group
'¢ Environment: Outdoor arena with two large oppositional bases with intersecting interiors
'¢ Objective: Capture the enemy's flag located within their base and return it to your base with your flag still in place
'¢ Win Condition: First team to successfully capture and return three flags wins

Smuggler's Den
'¢ Game Type: Hold Territory
'¢ Players: 24 Person Group
'¢ Environment: Five spires on top of two pinnacles jutting out of a raging ocean
'¢ Objective: Gain control and hold towers longer than the opposition to earn Tower Tickets
'¢ Win Condition: First team to reach the displayed Tower Ticket goal wins

Gears of Klak'Anon
'¢ Game Type: Hold the Relic
'¢ Players: 6 Person Group
'¢ Environment: Industrious clockwork foundry containing scientific equipment in motion
'¢ Objective: Acquire and hold the relic to accrue points faster than the opposition
'¢ Win Condition: First team to reach the set score wins
WHEN: Battlegrounds are scheduled to go live on February 16, 2010.

For more details on Battlegrounds, new screenshots and the latest information visit http://eq2players.station.sony.com/gameinfo/battlegrounds

EverQuest II Sentinel's Fate is available for pre-order at http://everquest2.station.sony.com/
A pile of screenshots showing off the addition can be found over at Voodoo Extreme.