Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online today unveiled Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online™, the first retail expansion for the award-winning massively multiplayer online roleplaying game
(MMORPG).

Announced in Birmingham, the childhood home of J.R.R. Tolkien,
The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™ will expand the online world of Middle-earth to let players :-

# explore the ancient underground cities of the dwarves,
# battle epic characters in the depths,
# ace off with the Watcher,
# be a part of the fateful release of Durin’s Bane and more!

The Lord of the Rings Online expects to open Volume II of its epic story in the fall of 2008 with an increased level cap, two new classes and the introduction of a unique item advancement system.






“The Mines of Moria is one of the most epic settings in all of fantasy fiction,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc.

“No one delivers more quality content than Turbine and with our journey into Moria, we will raise the bar even higher.

We are adding vast amounts of content, debuting massive new environments and unveiling numerous unique feature sets, like item advancement, which will create entirely new dimensions of compelling game play and social interaction which are unique to The Lord of the Rings Online experience.”

NEW FEATURES:

Speak Friend, and Enter

The Epic Continues!

Increased Level Cap

Discover Two New Classes

Forge Legendary Items


to read more on this click here

To celebrate this exciting news, Turbine and Codemasters also announced today that
they will kick off a major promotion that invites everyone to unlock the Mines of
Moria by visiting Unlock the Mines of Moria

Visitors can learn more about Mines of Moria and play special mini-games that will be periodically released over the coming months.

Certain players who participate can complete special deeds through
game play and other means to unlock exclusive previews, assets and special in-game items that may help them when they delve into Mines of Moria this fall.


Ten new levels will be added to the game. Two new classes, the Warden and the Runekeeper, a large number of instances for smaller groups, new monster player scenarios, a chance to join the Fellowship in Lorien and get gifts from Galadriel, a new Legendary Items system (objects that will evolve as the player progresses).

Steefel also mentioned that LOTRO would be launched in Russia, China and Korea this year.

The next free update to the game - Books 13, "Doom of the Last King", will offer a new region to explore, a hobby system with fishing. The developers confirmed that Book 14 will arrive later in this summer.

The Unlock the Mines of Moria promotion is scheduled to begin at the end of this month.

Great News!

Got to say that Turbine/LOTRO are really doing something right here

Its always a good sign when you see the Devs are actually playing the game they are working on.

*nods*

It should be a requirement, but I guess it's not for some companies.

Dip, once you tire out of darkmine runs, you should join Eowyna, and me.

Nice...thanks for the Info Tabbitha

I'm looking forward to this expansion and many more!

This sounds great.

awesome

Doh! Just posted this is in general discussion didnt realise we had a news area.
Really exciting stuff, especially item advancement, I like getting attached to my weapons and equipment.

Interesting to see how they pull of Durins Bane, i mean if the fellowship has already passed through (we can enter after them). How is he alive still? Perhaps a time warp thingy?