Turbine Celebrates 1st Anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online

April 24, 2008


Turbine And Codemasters Online Gaming To Unveil Book 13: Doom Of The Last-King
For The Lord Of The Rings Online

2007 MMO of the Year 
Introduces Fifth Content Update for Subscribers

Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online
announced the details of the fifth content update for subscribers to The Lord of
the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™. Book 13: Doom of the Last-king continues
the epic story of The Lord of the Rings Online, adds an entire new region to the
world of Middle-earth, a new Monster Play class and the introduction of the
hobby system. Book 13: Doom of the Last-king will be available to subscribers of
The Lord of the Rings Online on April 24, 2008 in North America and is coming
soon in Europe.

“The Lord of the Rings Online has
grown dramatically in scale, content and the size of our community in its first
year of operation,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “We’ve
received a very positive response from players about the new region of Forochel
and the long-awaited addition of fishing that adds an entirely new level of fun
and enjoyment to the game. It’s been an incredible first year and we are hard at
work finishing up Book 14 slated for release this summer. All of us are very
excited for our journey this fall into the Mines of Moria.”

NEW FEATURES:

  • New Region – In the far, frozen
    north of Eriador lies Forochel, a land unlike any other in Middle-earth. This
    new region lets players see the ocean for the first time and introduces
    several new temperature based landscape effects. Players will need to be
    mindful of the cold due to a new damage type – frost. Frost will slowly damage
    their character until they find a source of warmth in the form of shelter or a
    campfire.

  • New Faction – Beneath the brooding
    skies of Forochel dwell the hardy tribes known as the Lossoth. Suspicious of
    outsiders, they have long warred against other folk – especially the Guaredain,
    bloodthirsty wolf-loving barbarians in league with the forces of Angmar.
    Players can earn favor with the Lossoth by helping them in the struggle
    against their ancient enemy in this latest addition to The Lord of the Rings
    Online’s (LOTRO) reputation system. Lossoth reputation rewards include unique
    armor sets, weapons, a new mount, housing decorations, and class specific
    items

  • Introducing the Defiler — The
    first new class for Monster Players debuts in Book 13. The Defiler is a healer
    that will round out any War Band in their quest to dominate the Ettenmoors.
    The Defiler uses new healing skills such as Fertile Slime and Fungal Bloom to
    aid its party in battle and has a host of new Debuff skills including Curse of
    the Lethargic Heart to defeat their enemies.

  • The Hobby System — The player
    hobby system is introduced in Book 13. Fishing is the first hobby being
    introduced in LOTRO. From the Midgewater Marshes to the Shores of Evendim,
    players will find fishing to be a relaxing, entertaining and beneficial
    pastime. Players can earn deeds and traits as they improve their fishing
    prowess and captured fish can be used to cook in recipes or be mounted as
    trophies in a player’s house.

  • The Epic Continues! — At Elrond’s
    urging, players venture into the frozen wastes of the north to continue
    Laerdan’s search for the remnants of the ring Narchuil. Aided by the Snowmen
    of Forochel, players will uncover the fate of an ancestor of Aragorn and
    strive to thwart the terrible aims of Angmar.

  • Over 100 New Quests — The story
    continues for players as they aid the Fellowship and encounter new adventures
    in Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings Online is an
award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game that delivers an
interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people,
places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From
the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to the upcoming expansion to Moria,
the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players will experience the
world of Middle-earth as never before. LOTRO is available for purchase at major
retailers across North America and Europe. For more information or to download a
free trial, visit www.lotro.com  or
www.lotro-europe.com